10 Countries With The Highest Forest Concentration in Africa

Forests serve as the earth’s heartbeat, and their importance cannot be emphasized, especially in today’s world, where global warming has become a heated topic. Wildlife-rich areas, whether in Africa or elsewhere, are usually bustling with activity, supporting our basic survival. As a result, the conservation of forests is critical to humanity’s survival.

From the beautiful rainforests of the Congo Basin to the well-known savannas of the Serengeti, Africa’s woods are home to an incredible forest environment. In addition to supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna, these forests provide critical ecosystem services that sustain life on Earth.

These places naturally regulate the temperature, store carbon, provide clean water and air, prevent soil erosion, and support the livelihoods of millions of people. Despite the alarming rate of deforestation in Africa, the continent still retains significant forest regions.

Our World in Data defines a forest area as a territory with planted or naturally occurring tree stands at least five meters tall, excluding those used in agricultural production systems.

One-third of the world’s woods have been lost since the end of the last ice age, which occurred 10,000 years ago. Half of this loss occurred during the previous century alone. Agriculture is the primary cause of deforestation: people destroy forests to make room for grazing and croplands.

Our World in Data identified the African countries with the largest forest acreage despite human activity, as of 2020.