Nigeria Farmers Plant Trees Against Desert

Why this is here: The Great Green Wall Initiative has secured over $1 billion in grants from the Global Environment Facility, which then leveraged an additional $6 billion from other sources.

In Garbadu village, Nigeria, Gadeja Shehu and roughly one hundred other farmers began planting trees in 2021 as part of the Great Green Wall Initiative. Launched in 2007 by the African Union, the project spans eleven Sahel countries and aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. The initiative originally focused on planting a vegetation barrier but now prioritizes land restoration, job creation, and climate adaptation.

The Global Environment Facility has provided over $1 billion in grants, leveraging an additional $6 billion for the project. Villagers like Shehu report that the trees are already protecting homes from strong winds and improving soil moisture. However, the Great Green Wall has only achieved roughly 30 percent of its planned execution across participating countries.

In Nigeria, progress reaches about 50 percent, but insecurity in northern states hinders the work, diverting funds and displacing communities. Experts emphasize the need for stronger governance, increased funding—a gap of roughly $14 billion remains—and a shift toward community-driven landscape management. The initiative continues to adapt its approach, hoping to deliver sustained impact over time.