For almost twenty years, Africa has been committed to one of the world’s most ambitious ecological projects. The Great Green Wall initiative was launched in 2007 under the leadership of the African Union, with the aim of restoring degraded lands along an 8000 km strip that crosses the Sahel, a crucial region for the continent.
Building the Great Green Wall: A Colossal Effort to Halt the Desert
The success of this effort lies in its ability to return fertility to the land, provide food, water, and employment to local communities facing challenges from climate change and resource scarcity. However, progress has been slower than expected.
Initially conceived as a wall of trees, the project has evolved into creating a “mosaic” of green and productive landscapes in 11 Sahel nations. This transition includes protecting natural sprouts, recovering soils, and improving water management.
The pioneering countries in this initiative are Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Over time, the project has expanded to 22 African countries, becoming a truly continental effort.
The goal for 2030 is to restore 100 million hectares of land, capture 250 million tons of carbon, and generate 10 million green jobs. These objectives reflect the magnitude of the task and the need to save crops, wells, and grasslands.
A crucial aspect is improving the food security of 20 million people, a goal supported by the European Union. In the Sahel, a bad rainy season can devastate crops, affect food prices, and force the displacement of entire families.
At the COP30, Senegal’s Minister of Environment, El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, emphasized that more than 70% of rural communities depend on rain-fed agriculture. Without rain and with depleted soils, alternatives are scarce.
Significant progress has been reported by the UNCCD, mentioning the restoration of nearly 18 million hectares and the creation of 350,000 jobs. However, statistics vary, with some sources claiming higher figures.
Financial and coordination challenges are evident. It is estimated that at least 33 billion dollars are needed to achieve the 2030 goals. To improve tracking, a digital platform has been launched to monitor funds and projects.
The SURAGGWA program, supported by the Green Climate Fund, aims to restore landscapes and strengthen climate resilience in eight Sahel countries, including Burkina Faso and Senegal. This program seeks to turn commitments into tangible actions.
The Great Green Wall is not a definitive solution to climate change, but if it effectively implements its combination of trees, water, and local employment, it can offer a vital defense for millions of people facing an increasingly hostile environment.
