Harnessing nature: Evaluating cost-effective and globally sustainable solutions for Africa's environmental resilience

Africa faces pressing ecological challenges, making the evaluation of nature-based solutions essential for sustainability across the continent. This review article assessed prevailing trends, identified key ecological issues, and outlined the benefits of NbS within the African context. This study conducted a systematic literature review in accordance with the protocol outlined by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) focusing on ecological issues and the application of nature-based solutions. The results revealed climate change as the most pervasive and complex ecological challenge facing Africa. Additionally, nature-based solutions applied in Africa leveraged inherent resilience, provided a diverse array of ecosystem services, and covered diverse spatiotemporal scales, supporting the continent's sustainability and resilience. These solutions were categorized into three distinct groups: cost-effective, globally friendly, and local stewardship, each highlighting diverse strategies such as afforestation, sustainable farming methods, innovative water management, and climate adaptation initiatives and concluded with the top-rated and widely embraced nature-based solutions. This study offers a pathway to sustainable development by integrating resilience, biodiversity conservation, and community-driven approaches tailored to the continent's unique environmental and socio-economic contexts.