West African nations launch reforestation efforts for National Tree Day

In observance of National Tree Day 2026, government officials in Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso have launched reforestation initiatives to combat climate change and ecosystem degradation.

In Côte d'Ivoire, the government has reaffirmed its ambition to restore the national forest cover to 20% by 2030. Minister of Water and Forests Assahoré Konan Jacques emphasized that reforestation is a vital tool against desertification and soil depletion, noting that forest preservation is essential for agricultural productivity and food sovereignty.

In Burkina Faso, authorities in the Kourwéogo province planted 8,000 trees at the Gogsé showcase site in the Toéghin commune. The event, held under the theme ‘My concession, my tree’, was supported by the Great Green Wall Initiative for the Sahel and Sahara. The project aims to create community showcase sites to demonstrate environmental restoration and improve local living conditions.