Where we work

DAfC works with local communities and populations in the dryland regions of Africa. In Africa, drylands make up 43% of the total land area, account for 75% of the area used for agriculture (defined to include production of both crops and animals) and are home to 50% of the population. Poverty is heavily concentrated in dryland regions; about 75% of Africa’s poor people live in countries in which at least one-quarter of the population lives in dryland zones.  By 2030, the number of Africans living in dryland regions will increase from 460 to almost 800 million, putting increased pressure on the natural resource base and leading to increased competition for land and water resources.

The challenge of successfully developing the dryland regions of Africa is compounded by their inherent fragility. Most African drylands are subject to frequent and severe climate shocks. Many African drylands have continued to stagnate, even as other areas within the region have started to grow. The attention, energy, and financial resources of governments, development partners, and civil society are often absorbed by the need to respond quickly to humanitarian emergencies caused by climatic shocks, social conflict, or both, leaving few resources to build resilience and establish the basis for sustained growth.