African Union Great Green Wall Initiative: Strategy and Ten-Year Implementation Framework (2024-2034)
The African Union’s Great Green Wall (GGW) Initiative, launched in 2007, initially aimed to combat desertification by establishing a continuous tree corridor across the Sahara and Sahel. Over time, the initiative has evolved into a comprehensive ecosystem restoration and livelihoods resilience project, expanding from a narrow tree belt to a diverse mosaic of landscapes incorporating sustainable agricultural practices, water conservation, and climate resilience measures. Today, 33 African nations participate in the GGW, a substantial increase from the original 11-member base.
Strategic Vision and Objectives
The revised GGW Strategy (2024-2034) aligns closely with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming to transform Africa’s dry regions into resilient and productive landscapes. This new strategy supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 1 (No Poverty). Key objectives include:
– Landscape Restoration: The GGW Initiative aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. According to a 2021 report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), achieving this target would require planting approximately 10 billion trees, yielding widespread ecological benefits and capturing an estimated 250 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The UNCCD further emphasises that landscape restoration directly enhances resilience against drought and prevents soil erosion, both critical in the Sahara and Sahel regions.
– Resilient Livelihoods: A report from the African Development Bank (AfDB) estimates that the GGW has the potential to create up to 10 million jobs across the Sahel region alone, especially in agriculture, forestry, and renewable energy sectors. Job creation is essential to counter high youth unemployment rates in these areas, averaging over 25% across several participating countries, including Mali and Burkina Faso (AfDB, 2022). Economic empowerment through green jobs aligns with the GGW’s objective of providing alternative income sources for rural communities.
– Water and Biodiversity Conservation: The GGW Initiative also addresses water scarcity and biodiversity loss. According to UNEP, water stress in Africa is projected to increase by 40% by 2050, exacerbated by climate change and population growth. By restoring ecosystems, the GGW aims to improve soil water retention, reduce dependency on diminishing water sources, and bolster biodiversity. UNEP’s analysis reveals that enhancing tree cover and soil health could increase groundwater recharge rates by 20% across restored landscapes, benefitting both human and wildlife populations in these dry regions.
Implementation Challenges and Lessons Learned
Despite its ambitious goals, the GGW Initiative has encountered significant implementation challenges. A 2020 UNCCD report indicated that only 4 million hectares had been restored across the GGW landscape, representing a mere 4% of the original target. The report cites factors such as inconsistent funding, fragmented local governance structures, and insufficient inclusive community engagement. Transparency International’s 2023 report highlighted concerns around civil society participation, noting that local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) often struggle to have their voices heard, resulting in gaps in accountability.
The revised strategy now incorporates structured stakeholder engagement mechanisms and inclusive decision-making processes to address these challenges. This approach was reinforced during the GGW Investment Forum at the One Planet Summit in 2021, where nine international organisations—including the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)—committed over $14 billion to support GGW objectives. These funds are allocated for sustainable land management, clean energy infrastructure, and local training programmes.
Key Strategic Axes and Intervention Areas
The GGW Strategy highlights several essential intervention areas for achieving its objectives:
1. Strengthening Governance and Coordination: Strengthened leadership and governance are critical for overcoming previous implementation hurdles. The African Union Commission (AUC), alongside the Pan African Agency of the Great Green Wall (PAAGGW) and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), is tasked with enhancing political commitment and aligning GGW objectives with national development goals. Improved governance is essential, as Transparency International’s 2023 report identified weak institutional frameworks as a core challenge to effective GGW implementation.
2. Community-Driven Restoration Efforts: The GGW prioritises community-led restoration, particularly involving women and youth in restoration activities. UNCCD data show that women, who comprise approximately 40% of the agricultural workforce in Sahelian countries, play a crucial role in land management. This strategy includes investing in training for women-led cooperatives and youth organisations to support local ownership and sustainable management.
3. Building Resilient Economies: The GGW promotes economic resilience by supporting green job creation and sustainable income sources. The World Bank’s 2022 report on African economic resilience suggests that expanding agroforestry, eco-tourism, and renewable energy could generate $3.6 billion in annual revenue for local economies. The GGW also supports market access for nature-based products through partnerships with private sector investors and green funding initiatives.
4. Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building: Knowledge sharing among countries and institutions is central to the GGW’s strategy. The AUC has partnered with the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to facilitate workshops and technical training, ensuring that all participating countries benefit from shared insights on effective land restoration practices. This capacity-building effort aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goal of fostering scientific and technological innovation to address regional challenges.
Supporting Global and Continental Frameworks
The GGW complements several continental and global frameworks dedicated to sustainable development. By aligning with the AU’s Green Recovery Action Plan and the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, the GGW enhances Africa’s regional resilience efforts. The framework also supports the UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, ensuring that Africa remains a vital contributor to global climate and biodiversity goals.
Funding and Resource Mobilisation
Implementing the GGW requires substantial financial resources, and the strategy outlines innovative funding mechanisms to meet these needs. In addition to the $14 billion pledged during the 2021 GGW Investment Forum, the GGW plans to leverage impact investment through partnerships with entities such as the African Development Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). These investments are essential for expanding landscape restoration projects and funding renewable energy infrastructure across rural areas.
Expected Outcomes and Long-Term Vision
By 2034, the GGW Initiative aspires to create a landscape across Africa’s drylands that fosters resilience, sustainability, and prosperity. The expected outcomes include:
– Enhanced Ecosystem Resilience: A projected 100 million hectares of restored land will improve regional resilience to environmental shocks, particularly concerning soil health, water retention, and biodiversity, as highlighted in UNEP’s 2022 report.
– Economic Empowerment: Job creation through green industries will provide stable incomes for rural communities, as indicated by the AfDB’s projection of 10 million jobs. This economic empowerment is expected to reduce migration and improve social cohesion.
– Climate and Environmental Benefits: The GGW’s contribution to carbon sequestration aligns with Africa’s climate goals under the UNFCCC, enhancing the continent’s role in global climate action and ecosystem preservation.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The GGW Initiative represents a transformative opportunity for Africa to address environmental degradation, climate change, and socio-economic disparities in an integrated and effective manner. The African Union calls upon all stakeholders—including governments, international partners, and local communities—to commit to this framework. By building a sustainable future that respects both people and the environment, the GGW is poised to become a cornerstone of Africa’s development vision for a resilient and prosperous continent.
Aric Jabari is a Fellow, and the Editorial Director at the Sixteenth Council.
