The Great Green Wall initiative in Senegal, part of a broader African effort to combat desertification, has shown promising social and economic outcomes but has struggled to deliver significant ecological benefits. A study published in Land Use Policy indicates that despite substantial financial pledges exceeding $20 billion, actual funding reaching local projects has been inadequate. Rural communities have benefited from seasonal jobs and social services, yet satellite imagery reveals limited ecological improvements, with only two out of 36 reforestation plots showing notable greening. Experts argue that the initiative's reliance on external funding and the disconnect between global pledges and local implementation hinder its success. Calls for better coordination and local involvement in project design and execution have emerged as critical factors for future progress.