67-History and Current Status of Afforestation Projects in Nigeria and Kenya-February 2000-Environmental Issues Commentary

67-History and Current Status of Afforestation Projects in Nigeria and Kenya-February 2000-Environmental Issues Commentary

### 2000s: Initiation and Early Development of Afforestation Activities

Afforestation projects in Nigeria and Kenya began in 2000, led by Norway, in order to combine local economic development with environmental protection. At this point, the goal was set to reduce CO2 emissions by 5,000 tons per year, and activities were developed with an emphasis on cooperation with local communities. In Nigeria's Edo and Kaduna states, afforestation was initiated as a countermeasure to flood damage and soil erosion, and created jobs for the residents.

In Kenya, reforestation has also progressed in the mangrove forests around Nairobi National Park and in coastal areas, and forest conservation has been promoted in conjunction with the development of ecotourism. Ricoh, a Japanese company, provided irrigation systems and technical assistance to help saplings grow successfully even in arid areas.

### 2020s: Scale-up and Results

Projects in Nigeria and Kenya are further scaling up and achieving results in the 2020s. In Nigeria, the World Bank's Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has reforested nearly 100,000 hectares and increased agricultural productivity by 20%. The $90 million investment has also created 52,000 new jobs.

Meanwhile, in Kenya, the reforestation of mangrove forests in coastal areas has reached approximately 5,000 hectares, improving the local ecosystem. In Nairobi National Park and around the Masai Mara Reserve, ecotourism and afforestation activities are being integrated, and forest conservation is progressing while supporting the tourism industry. The low-energy irrigation system provided by Ricoh enables efficient seedling cultivation even in arid areas, contributing to the expansion of forest area.

### Future Prospects: Expanding Sustainable Development

These projects aim to expand the total CO2 reduction to 100,000 tons per year by 2030. A system in which local communities take the initiative in forest management has been established, and cooperation with agricultural cooperatives is progressing. The Kenya Forest Service has announced plans to expand commercial plantations by an additional 100,000 hectares by 2025, with the expectation of expansion to other African countries.

These efforts in Nigeria and Kenya have been recognized as model cases for achieving sustainable economic growth and greenhouse gas reduction at the same time.