TerraFund for AFR100, a fund supporting locally led landscape restoration projects in Africa, has awarded a $2.7 million grant to the Ghana Cocoa Belt consortium.
This funding aims to facilitate a remediation exercise with significant environmental and social impact.
The grant is projected to contribute to growing 1.9 million trees, restoring 14,000 hectares of land, creating 4,500 temporary and full-time jobs, and benefiting 29,000 people in the targeted regions.
Ms. Amanda Obuobi Amoako, Ghana Portfolio Specialist at TerraFund for AFR100, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, stating, “Fifteen different organizations and enterprises would be working as a consortium under the Ghana Cocoa Belt.”
This funding is part of a larger initiative, with a total fund of $17.8 million benefiting organizations in Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo for landscape restoration.
Wanjira Mathai, the Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships at the World Resources Institute, emphasized the importance of local climate action, stating, “Climate action is local.
I am delighted TerraFund for AFR100 and partners are mobilizing finance and capacity for restoration champions.”
The selected “restoration champions” underwent a thorough screening process, with 601 applications received through an open call for proposals.
Andrew Steer, the President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund recognized the significance of local groups in Africa's restoration movement.
He highlighted the use of new monitoring technologies to track progress and achieve remarkable results.
One Tree Planted expressed pride in its partnership with TerraFund for AFR100. Peace Grace Muhizi, Regional Director of Africa Projects at One Tree Planted, emphasized the positive impact of restoring degraded landscapes on local communities and biodiversity.
TerraFund, established in September 2021, has already deployed $33 million in grants, loans, and equity investments to 192 landscape restoration projects in 27 African countries.
The impact of these investments is monitored through the TerraMatch platform, using advanced monitoring, reporting, and verification techniques.
Mary Perpetua Kwakuyi, Executive Director of Goshen Global Vision, a TerraFund recipient in Ghana's cocoa belt, shared insights into their ongoing project.
“Through TerraFund, we have impacted over 8,012 cocoa families, transferred restoration and technological skills to 1,065 individuals, and provided short-term employment opportunities benefiting 1,456 women and youth.”
TerraFund's approach is to credit and recognize champions on the ground who are actively contributing to reversing environmental degradation and building lasting resilience across Africa.
