Agroforestry and degraded croplands restoration in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Abstract Cropland degradation is a major environmental concern, with over 65% of arable land affected by soil erosion, declining organic matter, nutrient loss, and reduced biodiversity. Restoring croplands is therefore crucial for sustainable agricultural productivity and ecosystem functioning under increasing climate variability, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of agroforestry systems in restoring degraded croplands across SSA, with a focus on soil quality, crop productivity and erosion control. A comprehensive search was performed using Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering agroforestry studies published between 2010 and 2025. Findings from 62 studies were analysed to identify the drivers of cropland degradation, benefits, limitations, and future directions of agroforestry systems as a restoration strategy. The primary indicators of degradation include declining soil fertility, increased soil erosion, vegetation loss, continuous monocropping and shortened fallow periods. Studies have shown that agroforestry systems can improve soil moisture retention, carbon storage, nutrient cycling and crop productivity. Challenges such as high costs of establishing these systems, limited access to high-quality trees seedlings, labour requirements, and a lack of supportive policies and extension services prevent many farmers from adopting agroforestry practices. Therefore, scaling up agroforestry adoption through regionally tailored policies and long-term localized research experiments with proven benefits will be essential in restoring degraded croplands. It is recommended that agroforestry be integrated not only in the national development and climate adaptation discussions, but also in food system policies to provide an effective strategy to rebuild degraded croplands and create resilience throughout SSA.