Trees may hold the key to addressing Africa’s challenges of food insecurity, economic difficulties and climate vulnerability, as demonstrated by the inception of the Great Green Wall initiative in 2007. The ambitious project, initiated by the African Union (AU), aims to restore 100 million hectares of land, capture 250 million tons of carbon and generate 10 million jobs by creating a living green wall of trees across Africa. AU has implemented the program in 22 African countries, including Ethiopia.

Ethiopia, a low-income country grappling with severe deforestation, became a participant in the Great Green Wall initiative in 2011. This engagement reflects the nation’s commitment to reforesting and addressing challenges such as desertification and land deterioration. While work remains, the Great Green Wall in Ethiopia has had many successes in the years since.

Achievements of the Great Green Wall in Ethiopia

The efforts of the Great Green Wall in Ethiopia focus on 58 woredas or districts, stretching across the north of the country. The initiative has generated five billion plants and seeds. Approximately one million hectares of land have been restored, including more than 150,000 hectares of forests. Efforts have also resulted in 240 hectares of multifunctional gardens, plots of land where many plant species grow.

Another success of the initiative in Ethiopia is creating 91 kilometers of windbreaks or rows of trees or shrubs. By reducing wind speed, windbreaks improve soil quality, promote agricultural growth and protect people and animals. Efforts also significantly improved watershed management. Watersheds are land areas that drain water and their management supports land restoration and agriculture.

The creation of employment opportunities is partially attributed to the newly planted trees. Specifically, the cultivation of Boswellia papyrifera, a native plant known for producing frankincense, allows communities to sell frankincense and earn income. Importantly, the process of harvesting frankincense does not entail tree felling, promoting the sustainable maintenance of forests.

The Future 

In 2021, nearly 15 years after the Great Green Wall’s initiation, officials announced its next phase, called the Great Green Wall Accelerator. In the next phase, which runs through 2030, stakeholders hope to improve their coordination with one another and increase their impact. The focus narrowed to creating landscapes in 11 countries, including Ethiopia.

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture published a review of the milestones and challenges of the Great Green Wall in Ethiopia in January 2023. The report calls for increased organization and monitoring of the nation’s restoration projects. It also highlights the need for financial communication, as funding sources and allocations are not transparent to all parties. These improvements can help implement the knowledge gained thus far and scale up future efforts.

– Kelly Carroll
Photo: Unsplash