Ethiopia's Tree Planting Success Should Be Emulated by Africa

Addis Ababa, July 30, 2025 (ENA) – Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative needs to be followed not only in its ambition of the numbers of trees being planted but also on how indigenous seedlings are chosen and brought back the population of native trees, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Director General Juan Lucas Restrepo stated.

Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Director General Juan Lucas Restrepo and Africa Regional Managing Director Wanjiru Kamau-Rotenberg, joined by other international and local authorities, participated in a tree-planting event held today at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Addis Ababa.

This initiative aligns with Ethiopia's ambitious Green Legacy Initiative, which aims to plant billions of trees across the nation. The country is preparing to plant an impressive 700 million seedlings tomorrow.

During the tree planting event today, Restrepo expressed admiration for Ethiopia's proactive approach to combat climate change.

 

Ethiopia is leading in green initiative, I see other countries that are catching up and following , he said.

''I believe the example of Ethiopia needs to be followed not only in the ambition of the number of trees but how they are chosen, how we bring back the population of native trees, native species. All of these technical elements need to be considered by other countries as well.''

Tree planting is something that has been undertaken by this government, spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, he stated, adding: "It's an initiative already exceeding 40 billion seedlings planted across the country, which helps mitigate climate change and supports local biodiversity."

He elaborated on the numerous benefits of tree planting, emphasizing that trees are vital components of healthy ecosystems.

"They provide essential services, such as carbon capture, water retention, and habitat restoration. By restoring ecological balance, we can also boost economic opportunities for local communities," Restrepo noted.

Kamau-Rotenberg, on her part, highlighted the significance of Ethiopia's tree planting effort, calling on other African nations to emulate this model.

 

"African governments need to follow Ethiopia's lead," she asserted.

"The scale at which Ethiopia is succeeding in re-greening the nation is an inspiration to us all," she stressed.

"Countries across Africa must embrace this legacy," Kamau-Rotenberg stated.

She added, "Together, we can foster a greener future for our continent, ensuring that future generations inherit a thriving environment."

She recalled the legacy of environmentalist Wangari Maathai, stressing the importance of trees in sustaining life on planet Earth.

Project Coordinator at the Alliance, Dereje Kassahun Mengistu, provided insights, mentioning tangible impacts of the Green Legacy Initiative.

 

"We have documented that planting one tree species can lead to the regeneration of over ten local tree species," he explained.

He further elaborated that this regeneration not only enhances biodiversity but also contributes to the reclamation of degraded land and the restoration of habitats for local wildlife, such as the Guereza monkey and various bird species.

The initiative has also demonstrated significant environmental benefits, including improved water resources and enhanced climate moderation, he said.

"Planting diverse species is crucial," Dereje emphasized. "Each species contributes uniquely to the ecosystem, supporting both ecological balance and economic development."

The tree-planting ceremony, held in conjunction with the recent Stakeholder Food Summit, served as a reminder of the interconnectedness of food security and environmental health.

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, a CGIAR research center, leveraging on agricultural biodiversity and transforming food systems for a sustainable future, is hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), in its Addis Ababa campus.