Stretching across eastern Africa, this hotspot is a mosaic of forests, grasslands and wetlands that provide life-sustaining services to tens of millions of people. These landscapes regulate climate, secure freshwater, and maintain fertile soils that underpin agriculture and regional stability.

Despite their richness, they remain under pressure from entrenched poverty and extractive development models that prioritise short-term gains over long-term resilience. Restoring these ecosystems is vital not only for protecting unique biodiversity but also for ensuring the wellbeing and livelihoods of the communities who depend on them.