where is desertification occurring in africa

Desertification Hotspots in Africa: Where & Why

By Rachel ThompsonJanuary 20, 2026

Desertification, an environmental concern of global significance, is causing widespread impact, particularly in Africa. This phenomenon refers to the degradation of productive land due to drought, deforestation, overgrazing, and climate change. Sadly, Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents, with about 46% of its land already affected. Let's explore where desertification is occurring in Africa and delve into its causes, impacts, and efforts to combat it.

According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), 30 African countries are at high risk or very high risk of desertification. The severity of the problem varies across regions, but the Sahel, Sahara, and Kalahari deserts are hotspots where desertification is most prominent.

Sahel Region

The Sahel, a semi-arid region at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, is particularly vulnerable. Home to more than 100 million people, it spans across 10 West African countries. The combination of overgrazing, deforestation for fuel and farming, and recurring droughts has led to significant desertification:

a map shows the percentage of people living in africa

a map showing the spread of deserts in africa and other parts of africa, with information about them

a map showing the percentage of land cover in africa and other countries, with different colors

’d> Mali: Around 52% of Mali's land is desertified, causing fertile soil to degrade and forcing communities to abandon their homes. The 2012 drought further exacerbated the situation.

Deforestation in the Sahel

Deforestation, often driven by poverty and increasing demand for firewood and farmland, is a significant cause of desertification. Trees protect soil from wind and rain erosions, so their loss accelerates desertification. The Sahel has witnessed a drastic decline in forest cover, from 20% in the 1960s to less than 5% today.

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the world map with countries labeled in orange and green, including africa, australia, north america

Mapping local variation in educational attainment across Africa - Nature

The depletion of woodland resources has placed Africa's Sahel region at risk. A report by the United Nations Environment Programme warns that if the current rate of deforestation continues, the Sahel could lose all its woodland by 2100.

Sahara Desert Expansion

The Sahara Desert is expanding southward, encroaching on fertile land and contributing to the displacement of local communities. While natural climate variability plays a role, human activities like agriculture and livestock grazing accelerate the process:

’d> Sahara advancement in West Africa: Satellite data shows that the Sahara Desert has expanded into West African countries like Nigeria, Mauritania, and Ghana due to desertification.

three camels walking in the desert with an image of sahara desert on it's side

Drought and desertification are becoming more frequent and more intense around the globe.

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the map shows where people are living in africa, and how they can use it

sunflowers growing in the middle of a cracked field

Climate Change in the Sahara

Climate change is amplifying desertification in the Sahara. Rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns make it harder for ecosystems to recover. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the Sahara Desert is expanding at a rate of 4,000 square miles per year, turning once-fertile land into barren desert.

The consequences of this expansion include loss of biodiversity, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased migration. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that nearly three million people could be displaced in North Africa by 2025 due to desertification and climate change.

Efforts to Combat Desertification in Africa

Several initiatives are underway to combat desertification in Africa. The African Union has designated the "Great Green Wall" as a top priority, aiming to grow a wall of vegetation across the entire width of Africa by 2030. The project, under the UNCCD, is being implemented in participating countries like Senegal, Niger, and Ethiopia:

an umbrella is sitting on top of a sand dune

an aerial view of the desert with trees and mud circles in it's surface

an aerial view of some dirt and trees with the date in white on them, next to each other

’d> Restoring degraded lands: In Ethiopia, the government is implementing the Great Green Wall by planting trees and restoring degraded land. This helps prevent desert expansion and provides livelihoods for local communities.

While significant challenges lie ahead, innovative solutions and international cooperation can help mitigate the impacts of desertification in Africa. By understanding where desertification is occurring and addressing its root causes, we can work towards preventing this environmental catastrophe from irreversible harm.

The fight against desertification requires sustained effort, investment, and dedication. It's crucial to raise awareness, promote sustainable land management practices, and support affected communities. Together, we can restore degraded lands and create a greener, more resilient future for Africa.

As we've explored, desertification is a pressing issue in Africa, with severe effects on the environment, society, and economies. But it's not too late to act. Let us harness the power of knowledge, collaboration, and innovation to combat desertification and secure a sustainable future for Africa and the world.