Angola Faces Alarming Tree Cover Decline: Wildfires and Agriculture in Focus

Angola Faces Alarming Tree Cover Decline: Wildfires and Agriculture in Focus

In recent years, Angola has witnessed a significant decline in its tree cover, with a net loss of approximately 4.41% since 2001. The latest incident in Lunda Sul Province on August 6, 2026, highlights the ongoing challenges. Wildfires, shifting agriculture, and forestry activities have been major contributors to this decline. In 2025 alone, tree cover loss reached 377,712 hectares, marking a 31% increase compared to the previous year. Shifting agriculture accounted for 29.70% of this loss, while wildfires contributed to 1.20%. The persistent reduction in tree cover poses serious environmental concerns, urging a need for broader discussions on sustainable land management practices.