The Great Green Wall: Africa’s Bold Plan to Fight Desertification
The Great Green Wall project is a desert greenery plan to create a long line of trees and plants across the Sahara Desert’s Sahel region.
Launched in 2007, the Great Green Wall is an ambitious plan to create a living line of trees and vegetation across Africa’s Sahel, just south of the Sahara Desert. Led by the African Union, twenty-two countries are working together to restore land, improve livelihoods, and fight desertification.
The main idea behind the Great Green Wall
The goal is to halt the desert’s advance and make the land healthier for people and wildlife. By restoring soil and planting resilient trees, participating countries aim to stabilize ecosystems and improve food security.
Communities across the Sahel are planting trees, rehabilitating degraded soil, and using sustainable farming techniques. Local farmers, governments, and global experts are working together to protect the environment and strengthen rural economies.
Collaboration across 22 African nations
Countries agreed to share knowledge, plant drought-resistant species, and support local jobs through tree nurseries and land restoration. As the wall expands, farmers gain opportunities to grow crops, raise livestock, and earn income from restored land.
The initiative has attracted international support, including $14.3 billion in pledges announced at the 2021 One Planet Summit in Paris.
The Great Green Wall Accelerator
To speed up progress, the Pan Africa Agency for the Great Green Wall (PAAGGW) works with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to coordinate funding, planning, and monitoring. Their mission is to help communities adapt to climate change while improving land productivity.
Challenges to creating a green line through the desert
The Sahara and Sahel face severe water scarcity, making irrigation one of the toughest obstacles. Finding sustainable supplies and using efficient irrigation systems is essential.
Harsh climates bring scorching days and chilly nights, demanding tree species that tolerate extremes. Restoring degraded soil and protecting it from erosion are also key to long-term success.
Beyond the environmental hurdles, the wall requires steady political support, funding, and strong partnerships. Yet its progress shows how collective action can revive landscapes and improve lives across Africa.
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