In a record-shattering moment of unity and renewal, Ethiopia has planted more than 700 million tree seedlings in just one day, marking what may be the largest single-day tree planting campaign in world history. This is more than an environmental milestone but it’s an act of collective love. Love for the land. Love for the generations to come. Love for Africa.
Across every corner of the country, from the misty highlands to the sun-baked lowlands, millions of Ethiopians came together. Children carried seedlings with pride. Farmers dug into the soil with reverence. Public servants, elders, students, and families all stood shoulder to shoulder with a shared purpose. By 3:00 p.m., over 648 million seedlings had already taken root, an astounding 93% of the target achieved in just hours. The number climbed to over 700 million before the sun set, exceeding all expectations.
This campaign is part of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, launched in 2019, which has now planted over 40 billion trees. The country aims to reach 50 billion by 2026. While the numbers are staggering, the spirit behind them is even more remarkable: a nation sowing the seeds of its own renewal, and in doing so, inspiring an entire continent.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who joined the planting effort in person, described the moment as a historic stand for future generations. “We are not just planting trees—we are planting hope, dignity, and a future rooted in life,” he said. His words resonated beyond Ethiopia’s borders, stirring pride and admiration across Africa.
From Nairobi to Nouakchott, from Kigali to Cape Town, Africans saw in Ethiopia’s effort a reminder of our shared strength. Neighboring countries like Djibouti and South Sudan, who have already benefited from seedling support from Ethiopia, hailed the movement as a model of green diplomacy and continental solidarity. “When Ethiopia plants, Africa grows,” said Dr. Angella Ndugu, a Kenyan environmental economist. “This is the kind of leadership the world needs.”
Of course, the work does not end here. The challenge now is ensuring the survival of the seedlings, the use of indigenous species, and the long-term integration of trees into ecosystems. But even with these hurdles, the message is loud and clear: Africa is not standing still. Africa is taking root. Africa is rising.
Abiy the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia said the effort was more than a one-time campaign and has become a national culture aimed at environmental restoration and sustainability.
“Green Legacy is now becoming a culture in Ethiopia,” he wrote on social media platform X, noting that the country is on track to plant 48 billion trees by the end of the rainy season.
Ethiopia’s campaign is a moment we should all carry with us a living, breathing example of what is possible when unity meets action. It’s a story of resilience, not only against climate challenges but against the narratives that often paint Africa in shadows. This is light. This is love.
Because Africa does not wait to be saved. Africa plants. Africa builds. Africa breathes. Together.