Amazon has announced a landmark investment in South Africa by supporting one of the world’s largest nature-based restoration initiatives, committing to rehabilitate more than 50,000 hectares of degraded land across the Eastern Cape through the planting of approximately 180 million spekboom shrubs.
The project is expected to generate significant environmental and economic benefits, creating around 11,000 jobs by 2030 while contributing more than $500 million (over R8 billion) in value to local communities.
The agreement also represents one of the largest carbon credit commitments ever made in South Africa, highlighting the country’s growing role in the global carbon removal market.
Restoration project expected to boost jobs and local development
As part of the partnership, Amazon will purchase 1.95 million tonnes of nature-based carbon removal credits generated by the restoration programme. The investment reflects the increasing demand among multinational companies for verified carbon credits that deliver measurable climate benefits while supporting local economic growth.
According to Amazon Chief Sustainability Officer Kara Hurst, the initiative demonstrates how climate finance can achieve multiple objectives beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
She said the project combines environmental restoration, community participation and innovation, creating a practical example of how nature-based solutions can support both climate action and sustainable economic development.
The programme is expected to provide thousands of employment opportunities throughout the restoration process while strengthening local livelihoods in communities across the Eastern Cape.
Spekboom offers long-term climate and biodiversity benefits
Spekboom, an indigenous South African succulent scientifically recognised for its exceptional ability to capture and store carbon, plays a vital role in restoring degraded ecosystems. The hardy plant also improves soil quality, supports biodiversity and increases the resilience of landscapes facing prolonged drought and the effects of climate change.
The Eastern Cape has long been identified as one of the country’s priority regions for ecological restoration because of extensive land degradation caused by historical overgrazing and changing environmental conditions. Large-scale spekboom restoration has increasingly been recognised internationally as an effective nature-based climate solution capable of generating verified carbon removal credits.
Amazon’s investment comes as global corporations continue expanding their climate commitments through high-quality carbon removal projects. Rather than relying solely on emissions reductions within their own operations, many companies are investing in initiatives that deliver broader environmental and social benefits.
South Africa has emerged as an attractive destination for such investments thanks to its unique biodiversity, favourable restoration conditions and growing carbon credit sector. Projects that combine ecosystem recovery with job creation are increasingly viewed as models for sustainable development in emerging economies.
The Eastern Cape initiative illustrates this trend by linking environmental conservation with economic opportunity. Besides restoring thousands of hectares of degraded land, the project aims to leave lasting benefits for surrounding communities through employment, skills development and improved environmental resilience.
As international demand for credible nature-based carbon credits continues to grow, projects such as this are expected to strengthen South Africa’s position within the expanding global carbon market while supporting long-term climate adaptation and rural development.
Source: Amazon