Ethiopia Mobilises Millions to Plant Trees in One Day

In a remarkable display of civic engagement, millions of Ethiopians took part in a nationwide tree-planting campaign under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s flagship Green Legacy initiative. The ambitious target was to plant 700 million trees in a single day—a bold effort aimed at combating deforestation, environmental degradation, and the escalating impact of climate change.

The mass planting exercise saw nearly 15 million people participate across the country. Government offices were closed to ensure full participation, with both civil servants and local communities rolling up their sleeves and heading outdoors. Prime Minister Abiy himself joined the planting efforts in Jimma, a city in the Oromia region.

By sunrise, government officials reported that over 355 million seedlings had already been planted, a figure that continued to rise as volunteers worked through the day. Photos and videos shared across social media captured long queues of people collecting saplings, schoolchildren working alongside elders, and entire villages transformed into hubs of green activity.

“This is not just about planting trees—it’s about cultivating a culture of environmental responsibility,” said Prime Minister Abiy during a televised address. “Our legacy must be one of renewal, growth, and unity.”

The Green Legacy programme was first launched in 2019 with the goal of planting 20 billion trees by 2024. Since its inception, Ethiopia claims to have planted more than 25 billion seedlings nationwide, making it one of the largest reforestation efforts in the world.

However, environmental experts have raised questions about the long-term success of such large-scale planting campaigns. Concerns have been voiced over whether proper planning has gone into species selection, soil suitability, and seedling maintenance. Without adequate follow-up care, many worry that a significant proportion of the trees may not survive beyond their first year.

“There is no doubt the public mobilisation is impressive,” said Dr Selamawit Asrat, an ecologist at Addis Ababa University. “But planting is just one part of the equation. Without nurturing the saplings, ensuring biodiversity, and monitoring growth, the environmental benefits may be minimal.”

Despite these challenges, the initiative has sparked a wave of national pride and environmental consciousness. Schools, religious institutions, and community groups have embraced the campaign, with many pledging to protect the young trees long after the planting season ends.

Ethiopia’s government hopes that its Green Legacy model can serve as an inspiration to other nations grappling with climate change. By turning reforestation into a unifying national mission, the country is showcasing how citizen-led action can play a vital role in environmental restoration.

As Ethiopia continues to face environmental pressures—ranging from desertification to erratic rainfall—the tree-planting campaign marks a hopeful step towards a more sustainable future. Whether the saplings will survive to fulfil that vision remains to be seen, but the message is clear: climate action starts with community.