Overall Objective
Contributing to the prevention of desert advancement and to the development of the Saharo-Sahelian zones in order to ensure sustainable natural resource management and poverty reduction.
A Specific Targets
1- biodiversity conservation/development;
2- soil restoration/conservation;
3- operating system diversification;
4- meeting household needs (in terms of ligneous and/or non ligneous products and water)
and promoting income-generating activities;
5- enhancing carbon sequestration in vegetal covers and soils.

B expected effects and impacts and beneficiaries
The expected effects and impacts include:
1. slowing soil erosion: the presence of vegetal cover slows winds speed and favors rain water infiltration;
2. degraded soil restructuring: an increase in organic matter of vegetal and animal origin entails soil restructuring;
3. higher reforestation rate in countries crossed by GGW: in order, among others, to restore eco-climatic balances and biodiversity;
4. revival, development and diversification of agriculture and stockbreeding,
both in terms of vegetal and animal production volumes and size of the active population employed in these sub-sectors;
5. vegetal and animal biodiversity restoration, conservation and development,
the deferred grazing and other privately-owned wooded areas contribute to natural vegetation regeneration and return of wildlife: birds, small game, snakes, etc.
6. increasing coverage of local needs in forest products, especially firewood, lumber and also ligneous and non-ligneous products: gum, resins, roots, leaves, barks, fruits, pharmacopeia etc.
7. improved living standard and health due to noticeable improvement in nutrition, living environment and more easily available household needs ( water, energy, social infrastructures etc);
8. reversal of rural migration phenomenon, gradually, “ecological migrants” and the bones and sinews looking for employment will repopulate these zones that have been rehabilitated by GGW proximity.
9. control of water resources, through water retention pond, artificial lakes and hydraulic schemes that will contribute to enhanced production system GGW effects and impacts will benefit various categories of actors including:
1. international community, as indeed, GGW perfectly intersects international concerns for Clean Development Mechanism: reduction of greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, reducing ecological and economic migrations;
2. States: find in it an opportunity to revitalize their reforestation program and to reduce the rhythm of degradation of their forests,
3. local communities: regions, municipalities and rural communities find in GGW a tool to boost local development ;
4. primary producers: farmers; herdsmen; coalmen; gum, honey and resin harvesters; healers; hunters; wood carvers;.
5. private businessmen: who are initiators of safari parks, modern farming, ecotourist sites find in it some economic opportunities etc ;
6. educational, training and research structures: GGW will be a privileged site for regional multidisciplinary research allowing great mobility of African scientists and increased synergy in program implementation;
7. populations living in GGW coverage area: gathering, fodder and water access, they find important opportunities to reduce under-employment, migration and poverty.