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October 2, 2025
AGADEV takes Gabon’s voice to the ANCA 2025 Summit in South Africa
October 7, 2025
The green economy will create new opportunities for sustainable employment in Gabon ” Cyrielle Sende, AGADEV CEO
(Agence Ecofin) – For its first appearance at Climate Week in New York, the Agence gabonaise de développement (AGADEV) represented Gabon’s voice in green finance and sovereign climate initiatives. Its Director, Cyrielle Sende, explains the institution’s mission and ambitions to accelerate the country’s ecological and economic transition.
Agence Ecofin: In a few words, what is the mission of the Agence Gabonaise de Développement and the purpose of its participation in the Climate Summit in New York?
Cyrielle Sende: AGADEV was created by presidential decree adopted by the Council of Ministers on January 22 as part of the launch of Gabon’s Sovereign Carbon Initiative. Its mission is to support Gabon’s transition to a green, sustainable and inclusive economy. The agency focuses in particular on mobilizing innovative financing and enhancing the value of the country’s natural capital, among other things by transforming investor expectations into concrete opportunities, federating our SMEs and building a solid framework for green finance in Gabon.
At the Climate Summit in New York, AGADEV promoted Gabon’s climate leadership and the recently launched Sovereign Carbon Initiative, and strengthened international partnerships to accelerate the implementation of nature-based solutions and climate finance.
Agence Ecofin: In practical terms, how do you select the projects that will benefit from sovereign carbon funds? What criteria must they meet to be selected?
Cyrielle Sende: AGADEV’s mandate is to allocate the funds generated by the carbon contributions of maritime and air operators to climate adaptation projects benefiting the most vulnerable populations, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations. In this way, it leads initiatives for ecological preservation and restoration, or for energy transition.
In particular, we support the development of local wood processing and the recycling of scrap wood along the entire value chain; bio-economy and ecotourism projects, two sectors that generate jobs and innovation; and the financing of modern laboratories.
Agence Ecofin: Many private players are still reluctant to invest in green projects in Africa. What is AGADEV doing to reassure investors and guarantee the traceability of financing received?
Cyrielle Sende: Many private-sector players wish to invest in environmental or green development projects in Africa, but are often hampered by a lack of local intermediaries, institutional support and guarantees regarding the use of funds or the sustainability of the projects financed. AGADEV’s role is precisely to remove these obstacles by securing international investments in Gabon: ensuring collaboration with the public sector, simplifying administrative procedures, guiding and monitoring the use of funds, and structuring public co-investments from carbon contribution revenues.
Agence Ecofin: Since your launch, can you name one or two projects already funded by AGADEV, and what measurable impacts they have generated for communities or the local economy?
Cyrielle Sende: AGADEV has recently begun collecting revenues from the carbon contributions of shipping and airline operators, and is currently in the process of selecting projects, with priority given to the preservation of biodiversity. At the same time, we are developing strategic partnerships with international players to co-construct and structure large-scale programs.
Agence Ecofin: What is the green economy already changing, or going to change, in the daily lives of Gabonese people: jobs, energy, the environment?
Cyrielle Sende: The green economy will create new sustainable employment opportunities, promote access to cleaner energy and strengthen the protection of our environment, thus directly improving the quality of life of Gabonese people. This will generate predictable and diversified revenues that are less dependent on hydrocarbons. The green economy also supports local communities through inclusive and resilient development projects, and prepares the country for more competitive, climate-friendly economic growth.
Agence Ecofin: Gabon is presented as a pioneer in Africa with its Sovereign Carbon Initiative. How are you working with other countries on the continent to share your tools and build a collective momentum?
Cyrielle Sende: Gabon is indeed a pioneer with its Initiative, paving the way for the rest of the continent with an innovative, sovereign financing model that meets international standards. Gabon is sharing its expertise and lessons learned with other African countries. Through AGADEV, we are working to strengthen active cooperation within regional and international platforms. This approach aims to create a strong continental dynamic, strengthen Africa’s climate sovereignty and mobilize green financing on an unprecedented scale for the continent’s sustainable development. At the2nd Africa Climate Summit last month in Addis Ababa, the African Union formally called for sovereign carbon initiatives to be extended to the entire continent, as a tool for climate justice.
