Uganda Makes History with First-Ever Green Climate Fund Payment to Africa
KAMPALA, Uganda – In a landmark decision for climate finance in Africa, Uganda has been awarded a USD 31 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for its verified success in reducing deforestation and cutting carbon emissions.
The announcement was met with acclaim from Uganda’s Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija (@MatiaK5), who applauded the GCF for the results-based payment. This grant marks the first time the global fund has disbursed such a payment to an African nation.
The funding was approved at the forty-third GCF Board meeting, held from October 27 to 30, 2025, in Songdo, Republic of Korea. The board reviewed and endorsed Uganda’s project proposal titled “Uganda REDD-plus Results-Based Payment for Emission Reductions (2016–2017).”
The project documented a significant climate achievement for the East African country. Between 2016 and 2017, Uganda successfully reduced over 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) through targeted national efforts to combat deforestation.
This payment represents a major validation of Uganda’s climate action policies. The REDD-plus mechanism (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is designed to create a financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands.
The USD 31 million grant is expected to further bolster Uganda’s environmental programs, demonstrating that investments in forest conservation can yield tangible economic and climate benefits. This milestone sets a precedent for other African nations, proving that verified climate action can be directly rewarded with international financial support.
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