Applicability of green chemistry principles for optimum environmental conservation and sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa

The African region south of the Sahara Desert is important in the global socio-economic landscape owing to its natural resources, agricultural potential, and emerging industrialization. However, the area is particularly vulnerable to environmental impacts due to its economic, climatic, and human systems, coupled with its inadequate potential to adapt. This article employs a systematic review of the literature to examine the potential of utilizing green chemistry principles to reduce environmental impacts and influence sustainability in the region. Scholarly articles published between 2004 and 2024 were extracted from an established academic database to highlight examples of green chemistry adoption that promote environmentally sustainable processes and practices in the region. Based on the content analysis, the impacts of green chemistry solutions are discussed under four major themes: clean energy, sustainable materials, waste minimization and recycling processes, and ecosystem conservation. Several challenges hindering the implementation of these principles have been identified, including inadequate capacity for technology transfer, unprogressive research and development, and reliance on traditional practices. Recommendations for accelerating green chemistry solutions have been provided. The paper argues that to adapt green chemistry principles to suit local contexts, it is necessary to implement strategic approaches that are collaborative, interdisciplinary, and sustainability-focused in nature.