South Africa’s Eastern Cape to plant 180 million spekbooms to create 11,000 jobs

South Africa’s Eastern Cape is set to undergo a major land restoration effort centred on spekboom, a hardy succulent that grows naturally in the region. According to Amazon, this investment will help restore more than 50,000 hectares of degraded land and plant 180 million spekboom cuttings by the end of 2028. The programme is expected to create around 11,000 jobs by 2030 and generate more than $500 million in economic value.The restoration focuses on the declining Albany thicket, where years of land use have affected the landscape and its ability to support nature and communities. As part of the project, Amazon will purchase 1.95 million tonnes of nature-based carbon removal credits generated over more than a decade. The first phase is already underway across 10,000 hectares.How will 180 million spekboom cuttings help restore the Albany thicketMore than 50,000 hectares will be added to the project as a result of Amazon's support. The project centres on spekboom, a hardy succulent that grows in the region’s harsh climate. By the end of 2028, 180 million spekboom cuttings will be planted across the landscape. The effort focuses on the Albany thicket, a distinctive ecosystem that has ...