Desertification is a global crisis that threatens food security, biodiversity, and livelihoods. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), up to 40% of the world’s land is degraded, affecting nearly 3.2 billion people, particularly in developing countries. The World Bank estimates that land degradation costs the global economy over $6.3 trillion annually. Efforts to combat this phenomenon have taken various forms, from afforestation projects in China’s Loess Plateau to large-scale reforestation efforts in Brazil’s Amazon region. However, Africa’s Great Green Wall stands out as one of the most ambitious environmental restoration projects ever attempted.
The Vision and Progress of the Great Green Wall
Launched in 2007 by the African Union, the Great Green Wall (GGW) is an 8,000-kilometre (5,000-mile) initiative stretching across the Sahel from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east. Its objective is to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, sequester 250 million tonnes of carbon, and create 10 million jobs in rural Africa.
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As of 2024, the project is only 30% complete, facing significant financial and logistical hurdles. Initial estimates suggested a funding requirement of $33 billion, yet as of 2021, international donors had pledged approximately $19 billion. However, by March 2023, only $2.5 billion had been disbursed, with much of the remaining funds allocated to broader development initiatives rather than direct GGW implementation.
Senegal has made the most progress, planting over 12 million trees and restoring 25,000 hectares of land. The country has implemented sustainable agroforestry techniques, improving soil fertility and enhancing food security. Nigeria has restored 5 million hectares of land and integrated the GGW with rural economic programmes, supporting over 20,000 farmers. However, security challenges in the northern regions have hindered progress. Ethiopia has combined GGW efforts with its existing reforestation programmes, planting over 4 billion trees since 2019, though ongoing conflicts in the Tigray region have disrupted conservation efforts. Meanwhile, political instability and lack of funding have severely hampered GGW progress in Chad and Mali, where less than 10% of targeted land has been restored.
Barriers to Success
While the GGW has demonstrated significant environmental and economic potential, it faces structural and financial challenges. Despite billions in pledges, disbursement delays hinder large-scale implementation. Many GGW countries grapple with terrorism, insurgencies, and political instability, complicating afforestation efforts. The absence of a centralised monitoring entity has led to fragmented execution. Additionally, rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns threaten the project’s long-term sustainability.
What Will It Take to ‘Build the Wall’?
The Great Green Wall initiative is beginning to show positive results, thanks to years of planning, strategising, and building partnerships with on-the-ground agencies. Its $33 billion budget, largely derived from World Bank co-financing and African Union-backed partnerships, ensures participating countries have the means to advance the project.
One of the most notable successes has been in Senegal, where more than 50,000 acres of trees have been planted. Most of these are acacia species, particularly Senegalia senegal, valued for its production of gum arabic, a key food additive. A smaller portion of the trees are fruit-bearing, which, once mature, will help combat malnutrition in the country’s rural interior.
The project’s potential social impact is equally significant. The BBC reports that improvements in land quality and economic opportunities in Mali may help curb terrorism, as famine and poverty have exacerbated political and religious extremism in the region.
Why Africa Must Ensure the Success of the Great Green Wall
The Great Green Wall is more than just an environmental initiative; it is a cornerstone of Africa’s sustainable future. If fully implemented, it could transform the Sahel into a thriving agricultural and economic hub, reducing poverty, food insecurity, and forced migration. The United Nations predicts that by 2050, up to 60 million people from Africa’s drylands could migrate due to climate change and resource scarcity. A successful GGW would significantly mitigate these risks by restoring arable land and creating employment opportunities.
Moreover, Africa’s leadership in this initiative could set a global precedent for climate resilience and land restoration. The continent currently bears the brunt of climate change despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions. Ensuring the GGW’s success would enable Africa to leverage its environmental achievements to advocate for greater climate financing and policy support on the international stage. Conversely, failure to complete the project would exacerbate regional instability, as environmental degradation continues to fuel resource-based conflicts, terrorism, and political unrest.
The Great Green Wall remains Africa’s most ambitious environmental project, offering solutions to desertification, economic development, and climate resilience. However, without stronger financial commitments, security stabilisation, and governance improvements, achieving the 2030 goals remains uncertain. A reinvigorated approach is necessary to ensure the GGW reaches its full potential and serves as a global model for combating desertification.
