A perspective on nature-based strategy for enhancing the resilience of farming systems in Africa

Climate change increasingly threatens African agricultural stability, where livelihoods depend heavily on rain-fed smallholder farming. While agroforestry is a recognized nature-based solution, its adaptation potential requires rigorous synthesis that accounts for Africa's significant biophysical heterogeneity. This study systematically reviews empirical evidence on traditional agroforestry and socio-ecological resilience across the continent, grounded in socio-ecological resilience theory and following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review synthesized 30 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2020 and 2025. Results indicate that traditional practices, including parkland systems, farmer-managed natural regeneration, and silvopastoral systems, are associated with enhanced adaptive capacity in multiple contexts. However, the magnitude of reported benefits varies considerably across agroecological zones, and evidence of trade-offs (e.g., tree-crop competition leading to yield reductions in some settings) is also present in the literature. The most conclusive evidence concerns regional patterns in agroforestry practices and the frequency with which different adaptation pathways are reported. Soil fertility improvement is reported in 70.4% of studies, water regulation in 59.3%, and microclimate moderation in 55.6%, though these frequencies reflect reporting prevalence rather than effect magnitudes. Socio-economically, agroforestry facilitates income stabilization and risk spreading through diversified products, though adoption remains constrained by land tenure insecurity, delayed economic returns, and limited extension access. The review concludes that agroforestry functions as a context-dependent resilience strategy rather than a uniform intervention. Claims about continental-scale impacts are not supported by the current evidence base. Successful scaling requires integrated policy frameworks that move beyond tree promotion toward strengthening enabling environments through tenure reform, market connectivity, and crucially, location-specific species selection adapted to local agroecological conditions.