The World Bank has rated Nigeria’s Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project as one of its most successful initiatives, describing it as a model for climate adaptation and sustainable development across Africa.
Launched in 2021 with World Bank financing, ACReSAL is being implemented in 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. The project aims to restore degraded land, promote climate-smart agriculture, strengthen water and land management systems, and improve food security for millions of Nigerians living in vulnerable semi-arid zones.
Since its inception, ACReSAL has made remarkable progress. Official figures show that more than 178,000 hectares of degraded land have been restored across the north, bringing the World Bank-supported program closer to its ambitious target of one million hectares. The initiative has directly reached over one million beneficiaries, while also boosting food production and community resilience against climate shocks.
Communities are already reaping tangible benefits. In Yobe State, 101 communities each received around $25,000 in non-interest loans to support climate-smart farming. In Kano, more than 21,000 hectares of land have been rehabilitated alongside the construction of shelterbelts to protect farms and settlements from desert encroachment. Several states, including Taraba, have been upgraded to higher performance stages under the program due to their strong implementation record.
Ellysa Baroudy, the World Bank’s Practice Manager for Environment in West Africa and the Sahel, said ACReSAL stands out for “integrating climate action, landscape restoration, and livelihood support to deliver tangible results for communities.” She added that the initiative demonstrates how large-scale environmental and agricultural interventions can both protect ecosystems and empower vulnerable groups, particularly women and rural farmers.
With Africa facing mounting threats from climate change, desertification, and food insecurity, the World Bank now sees Nigeria’s ACReSAL as a replicable model for other countries across the continent.
