The Bamboo Nexus: Review of Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits for Sustainable Development

Ethiopia possesses the largest bamboo resource in Africa, primarily the highland bamboo (Yushania alpina) and lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica). This review synthesizes empirical evidence from the past five years (2000-2025) to analyse the interconnected environmental, economic, and social benefits the "Bamboo Nexus" and evaluates its realized and potential contribution to Ethiopia's sustainable development. Findings reveal a significant paradox: despite abundant natural stock and well-documented ecological benefits (soil erosion control, carbon sequestration, watershed protection), socioeconomic utilization remains sub-optimal, informal, and spatially fragmented. Economically, bamboo provides critical supplemental income, contributing 11-38% of annual cash for households in key growing regions, yet value chains are underdeveloped, dominated by raw pole production. Socially, bamboo supports livelihoods, fuel, and construction, but lacks integration into formal green job strategies. We argue that leveraging the Bamboo Nexus requires an integrated, systemic approach moving beyond subsistence use towards a strategic, climate-smart bio economy. This review proposes a consolidated framework for action, positioning bamboo as a cross-cutting pillar for achieving Ethiopia's Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy, promoting rural industrialization, and fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work), 12 (Responsible Consumption), and 13 (Climate Action).