Bahamas Strikes $300 Million Debt Swap to Fund Marine Conservation

The agreement redirects $124 million toward ocean protection and climate resilience, marking a milestone in debt-for-nature financing.

The Bahamas has refinanced $300 million of its external debt, freeing up $124 million for marine conservation and climate change mitigation over 15 years.
This debt-for-nature swap is the fifth of its kind globally and the first to include private sector guarantees and credit insurance, involving Builders Vision and AXA XL.
Funds will support the restoration of mangroves, seagrass meadows, and marine ecosystems, which are vital for carbon storage and climate resilience.
The initiative also aims to stabilize key fisheries, such as spiny lobster, which generates $100 million annually, and protect the livelihoods of local communities.
The Bahamas joins countries like Seychelles, Belize, and Barbados in using innovative financing to address biodiversity loss and climate challenges.