The Great Green Wall is one of the most ambitious projects of our time. It aims to restore lands across the Sahel, a dry stretch that runs beneath the Sahara. The goal is simple: bring life back to this barren land. The Great Green Wall wants to stop desertification, boost biodiversity, create jobs, and build resilience against climate change. Since 2007, it’s been a symbol of hope. Yet, even with its achievements, it faces many challenges.
Vision And Objectives
The African Union launched the Great Green Wall in 2007 to fight the desert creeping across the Sahel. At first, the idea was a literal wall of trees. But it evolved into something more: planting trees, practicing sustainable farming, managing water, and involving local communities. The target is to restore 100 million hectares, lock away 250 million tons of carbon, and create 10 million jobs by 2030.
The wall stretches 8,000 kilometres across countries like Senegal, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, and Ethiopia. These countries struggle with the advancing desert, but also with hunger, unemployment, and conflict. Restoring these lands could mean a better future for millions.
Achievements And Progress
The Great Green Wall has had success, but there’s still much to do. Reports show 18 million hectares of land have been restored. Ethiopia, Senegal, and Niger are leading. They have each restored vast areas and used agroforestry—adding trees to farmland to help biodiversity.
Senegal has planted over 12 million drought-resistant trees. The barren landscape is now productive. Crop yields are better. There is more food. The soil holds water better. Besides planting trees, Senegal works on restoring soil and conserving water, making the land stronger against the harsh climate.
Niger uses a different method. They focus on Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). This involves protecting native trees and letting them regrow naturally. It is cheap and effective. Through FMNR, Niger has restored 5 million hectares, thereby helping over three million people and boosting farming.
In Ethiopia, 15 million hectares have been restored. They plant trees, manage land well, and use agroforestry. The government also runs the Green Legacy Initiative to plant billions of trees every year.
Challenges Facing The Great Green Wall
The Great Green Wall has made progress, but it faces big challenges. Funding is the largest problem. The project needs USD 36 billion, but getting this money is tough. Donors have pledged funds, but there is still a big gap. In 2021, at the One Planet Summit, USD 14 billion was pledged, which helped, but it’s not enough. Countries also struggle to use the funds they receive.
Political instability and conflict in the Sahel make things worse. The region suffers from unrest and violence. This makes it hard to keep restoration efforts going. When things are unstable, resources go to security, not to the environment.
Climate change is also a hurdle. The Sahel faces droughts and flash floods, which can undo years of progress. Growing and maintaining drought-resistant plants is not easy. Success often depends on rainfall, and rain in the Sahel is unreliable.
Community Engagement
The Great Green Wall’s success depends on local communities. It’s not just about planting trees; it’s about people. The project gives local farmers, women, and youth a role, and this builds pride and empowerment.
Women benefit greatly. In places like Senegal and Ethiopia, women run nurseries and gardens. This gives them income and helps restore the land. By involving women, the GGW restores landscapes and promotes gender equality.
Local knowledge is key. In many places, people use old techniques to make land restoration work. For example, traditional water harvesting and soil methods are being adapted to fit the Sahel. This makes efforts more resilient.
The Great Green Wall is more than restoring land. It fights key issues like unemployment and hunger. Restoring the land creates jobs and food security, which helps reduce conflict and migration. So far, the project has created over 350,000 jobs, and if fully successful, it could create millions more by 2030.
The Wall also has a large carbon sequestration goal. The aim is to lock away 250 million tons of carbon. This helps fight climate change. The Great Green Wall is not just a regional solution—it’s a global one.
Long Road Ahead But A Beacon of Hope
Challenges remain, but the Great Green Wall inspires hope. Countries like Senegal, Niger, and Ethiopia show that it’s possible to restore landscapes even under tough conditions. The project brings together governments, NGOs, communities, and other players to work towards a common goal.
The project also reminds us that restoring the environment isn’t quick. It takes time, commitment, and adapting along the way. The 2030 goal may be hard to reach, but every bit of land restored is a victory. The Great Green Wall is a bold plan to bring life back to Africa. With effort, we can begin to fix the damage done.
The Great Green Wall is more than a fight against desertification. It is a symbol of resilience, unity, and hope. Its success will shape how we tackle environmental restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable development in the future.