Palm trees, symbols of tropical abundance, stretch from Africa’s arid deserts to its lush rainforests. Across the continent, they provide food, medicine, shelter, and cultural meaning to millions. Yet many of these iconic trees are quietly disappearing. Driven by deforestation, overexploitation, and habitat loss, Africa’s palms face a growing risk of decline—one that could reverberate through both ecosystems and human communities.

A new continental initiative has emerged to counter this trend. The recently launched African Network of Palm Scientists brings together researchers from across Africa and beyond to study, conserve, and promote the sustainable use of native palms. The network, introduced during a major flora conference in Ghana, marks the first pan-African collaboration dedicated specifically to palms. It includes experts from West, Central, and East Africa—regions that together host over a hundred species of palms, from the sprawling raffia and rattan palms of the Congo Basin to the hardy doum palms of East Africa.

The goal is simple but ambitious: to ensure that Africa’s palms remain a thriving part of the continent’s natural and cultural landscape. The network aims to pool expertise, gather and preserve traditional knowledge, train young botanists, and develop science-based strategies for conservation.

The Hidden Importance of Palms

Although Africa has fewer palm species than other tropical regions, the trees are among the most valuable plant families for rural livelihoods. Palms provide essential products—food, fibre, building materials, and beverages. Their leaves are woven into baskets and mats, their trunks used for timber, and their fruits and sap consumed as food or fermented into local wines. Many species have medicinal or spiritual importance, woven into rituals and traditional healing practices.

Botanical studies consistently place palms among the continent’s most economically and culturally significant plant groups, alongside grasses and legumes. Yet, unlike other plant families, the majority of Africa’s palms remain poorly documented and under-researched.

Declining Forest Giants

Central Africa holds the greatest palm diversity, home to 52 species, followed by West Africa with 38 and East Africa with 18. Despite this richness, many species are now in decline. Some, like Sclerosperma profizianum in Ghana or several Eremospatha species in Sierra Leone and Liberia, are listed among the most threatened. Even widely used species such as the African fan palm (Borassus aethiopum), raffia palm (Raphia hookeri), and doum palm (Hyphaene compressa) are at risk from unsustainable harvesting practices.

Unlike crops that can be replanted seasonally, palms follow a slow life cycle. Their seeds may take months or even years to germinate, and young plants grow slowly, requiring constant warmth and humidity. In some species, such as rattans, decades may pass before a plant reaches maturity. This natural sluggishness makes recovery difficult once populations are depleted.

Even in undisturbed conditions, regeneration is slow. Combined with deforestation and expanding agriculture, the pressure is pushing many palms closer to extinction. Scientists warn that losing them would not only erase unique species but also disrupt local livelihoods that depend heavily on their products.

Filling the Knowledge Gaps

While a few African palms—like the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), and coconut (Cocos nucifera)—are well studied due to their commercial importance, dozens of others remain largely unknown to science. Many species have never been fully described; some have no documented flowers or fruits. This lack of information hampers efforts to conserve them effectively.

The new network plans to address these gaps. One of its first priorities is to create a comprehensive classification of African palms, mapping their distribution and assessing the threats they face. Researchers will also study palm reproduction and germination to understand how different species can be propagated or domesticated.

The Challenge of Climate Change

Climate change poses an additional challenge. Rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, and increasing soil salinity could render large areas unsuitable for palms that rely on high humidity and stable conditions. Scientists fear that some species may not adapt quickly enough to survive the changes.

The network intends to investigate how palms respond to such environmental stress and whether selective breeding or assisted propagation could help them adapt. These insights could prove valuable not only for palms but also for broader conservation efforts involving other tropical plants.

Towards Sustainable Use and Domestication

Conservationists argue that protecting palms cannot rely solely on restrictions. Instead, palms must be integrated into local economies in sustainable ways. One proposal gaining traction is domestication—the deliberate cultivation of palms in farms or semi-controlled forest plots.

Such a model could ease pressure on wild populations while providing income to rural communities. Palms could be grown alongside crops in agroforestry systems, contributing to food security, soil stability, and biodiversity. The approach blends conservation with livelihood support, aligning environmental and social goals.

A Blueprint for Broader Conservation

Beyond its immediate focus on palms, the African Network of Palm Scientists aims to create a model for collaborative conservation. By connecting researchers across linguistic, cultural, and geographic boundaries, the network seeks to build capacity and inspire similar initiatives for other plant families.

The network’s vision reflects a wider understanding that biodiversity loss cannot be solved in isolation. Protecting Africa’s palms, which sustain both people and wildlife, could serve as a vital step toward safeguarding the continent’s ecological balance.

In the long run, the success of this initiative will depend on continued research, community participation, and policy support. But the establishment of a dedicated African network signals a turning point. As deforestation and climate change reshape the continent’s landscapes, this alliance of scientists offers a hopeful path forward—one rooted in shared knowledge, respect for traditional practices, and a deep recognition of how closely human and plant survival are intertwined.