Paper short abstract:

This paper focuses on the recent tree planting projects initiated in 2009-2022 in rural Africa. These projects have attracted huge political and media attention as a “simple” significant planning solutions for the environment. They are relevant to discuss when addressing climate change in Africa.

Paper long abstract:

This paper focuses on the recent tree planting projects initiated in 2009-2022 in rural Africa. These projects have attracted huge political and media attention as a “simple” significant planning solutions for the environment. They are important to discuss not only for their role but also for the expected improvements to addressing climate change, controlling desertification, and promoting the wellbeing of their populations. Migration to African cities has caused several challenges like urban poverty and slum proliferation and a broad depletion of the environment. Various responses through different projects have emerged particularly on the environmental planning and management of cities and rural areas. Some projects have been highly publicized but not really implemented, and there are little monitoring and evaluation on trees planting process by governments. Consequently, several critical points emerge on planning in African countries that should reconsider urban planning with a clear focus on the role of green infrastructure because of their extensive social benefits and supportive capacity for any significant sustainable development. In this paper we offer an overview of the projects that have been presented and/or implemented in African rural areas.