As the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) concluded in Riyadh, attention in Africa turned toward concrete follow-up actions.
African governments and regional institutions welcomed new commitments to land restoration, drought resilience, and policy frameworks that could directly influence livelihoods across the continent.
Land degradation and drought remain pressing issues in Africa, where over 60% of the population relies on rain-fed agriculture and where desertification advances rapidly in regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and parts of Southern and Eastern Africa.
Reports from multiple development-focused outlets explained how delegates at COP16 acknowledged the disproportionate burden African countries carry in dealing with land degradation and climate shocks.
Central to the African narrative at COP16 was the Great Green Wall (GGW), a pan-African initiative aimed at restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land across the Sahel region.
News reports following the COP16 closing sessions noted that Italy pledged EUR 11 million to support landscape restoration efforts under the GGW, while Austria committed EUR 3.6 million to strengthen the coordination and implementation of GGW activities in 22 African countries.
Dr. Laouali Garba, Manager of Agricultural Research, Production, and Sustainability at the African Development Bank, said these commitments could provide a welcome boost, as funding and technical support remain vital to meeting the GGW’s ambitious goals.
Coverage from African and international outlets emphasized that these new funds must translate into tangible progress at local levels.
Cathrine Mutambirwa, Programme Coordinator for Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and Land Restoration at the Global Mechanism of the UNCCD stressed the importance of ensuring these resources reach communities grappling with depleted soils, shrinking grazing lands, and unreliable rainfall.
The pledges announced in Riyadh, she said, should strengthen community-driven projects that diversify local economies and restore ecosystems to improve long-term food security.
Moreover, Africa’s role in shaping the outcomes at COP16 did not end with financial pledges. Several African delegations actively pushed for a more comprehensive future global drought regime, an agreement that negotiators aim to finalize at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026.
African countries have consistently argued that any effective drought regime should prioritize proactive measures—such as early warning systems, drought-tolerant crops, and improved soil conservation—to prevent crises rather than merely react once damage is done.
Nigeria’s Minister of Environment and Chair of the Pan-African Great Green Wall, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said that scaling up drought preparedness means integrating scientific tools and traditional knowledge.
African negotitors welcomed the continuation of the UNCCD’s Science-Policy Interface (SPI) and expressed hope that its evidence-based guidance would more closely consider African contexts.
Lawal pointed out that accurate data and early warnings can help farmers adjust planting seasons, pastoralists find better grazing routes, and policymakers make informed decisions about allocating scarce water resources.
Media reporting also noted the significance of involving local communities and Indigenous peoples, a major theme at COP16. The establishment of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities resonates strongly in Africa, where community-driven resource management has deep roots.
Harsen Nyambe, Director of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission,stated that integrating these voices into policy processes could accelerate restoration and resilience-building efforts. Pastoralist groups, for example, have long employed strategies to cope with dry conditions, and these time-tested practices could inform national drought plans.
He pointed out that African youth delegates are increasingly vocal on the need to address land degradation’s root causes.
Many young Africans rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Without healthy soils and reliable rainfall, future generations face uncertain prospects. Youth-led side events at COP16 proved that better access to finance, education, and digital tools could empower them to become champions of sustainable land use.
The private sector’s role also drew attention. News reports indicated that Africa stands to benefit if the UNCCD’s new Business4Land initiative succeeds in mobilizing private investment for land restoration and drought resilience.
African countries, however, have called on the private sector to align profit motives with long-term environmental and social outcomes.
Maria Mareaelle Saguti, Chief Land Officer at the African Development Bank said that private funding should not lead to land grabs or undermine local tenure rights. Instead, it should complement public efforts by supporting training, technology transfer, and supply chain improvements that foster fair markets for sustainably produced goods.
Throughout the conference, African officials, researchers, and activists pointed to the direct impact of climate-related land degradation on human migration.
Reports mentioned that as farmlands become less productive, some families feel compelled to leave their homes in search of viable livelihoods. Addressing land degradation and drought, many argue, is not only an environmental imperative—it is also a step toward reducing migration pressures and stabilizing communities.
As the dust settled after COP16, African leaders expressed cautious optimism. They acknowledged the inflow of new financial pledges and the renewed global commitment to land restoration, while noting the gaps that persist. Implementation remains a key challenge.
Tracking where funds go and how effectively they are used will require transparent systems, strong governance, and capacity building at all levels. Some African experts suggested establishing regional monitoring hubs or leveraging the African Union’s structures to ensure that projects deliver measurable benefits.
Beyond financial pledges, the real test will come in the months and years ahead. Observers from African climate policy think tanks said that by COP17 in 2026, African nations hope to see clear progress.
This includes measurable expansion of restored lands, improved drought early warning systems, and more resilient agricultural practices rooted in both scientific and Indigenous knowledge. They also want to see more robust frameworks for involving youth, women, and marginalized communities in decision-making.
Representaives from smallholder farmers from East and West Africa stressed that progress depends on accessibility.
Philip Kiriro chairman of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) said that while global initiatives are crucial, farmers need straightforward access to improved seeds, affordable irrigation technologies, and training in soil management.
Kiriro argued that sustainable land management cannot remain a distant international policy goal. It must manifest in visible improvements in crop yields, household incomes, and stable landscapes.
