Africa and China Expand Great Green Walls as Continental Wildlife Corridors

The Great Green Wall of the Sahara and China's Three-North Shelterbelt Program are both progressing as wildlife corridors. Initiated by the African Union in 2007, the Great Green Wall seeks to restore 100 million hectares by 2030 throughout the Sahel, evolving into a more extensive ecological initiative. On the other hand, the Chinese program, which began in 1978, covers 4 million square kilometers and is set to continue until 2050, with its sixth phase (2021–2030) concentrating on indigenous vegetation. While both projects incorporate methods such as assisted natural regeneration and agroforestry, they differ in governance styles: Africa adopts a mosaic approach, whereas China implements a centralized model. Progress in the Sahel varies, with notable advancements in Senegal, Niger, and Ethiopia despite ongoing challenges.