Sowing the Empire: Eucalyptus in Angola, c.1875–1975

by Paulo Alexandre Vasconcelos (2026). "Sowing the Empire: Eucalyptus in Angola, c. 1875-1975", Journal of Southern African Studies,  Volume 52, Issue 1.

Abstract

This article explores the evolution of forest resource use in Angola from the late 19th century to the end of colonial rule, focusing on the provinces of Benguela, Huambo, Bié and Moxico within the zone of influence of the Benguela Railway. The initial exploitation of native woody resources to fuel the Benguela Railway Company’s steam locomotives gradually led to the establishment of large-scale eucalyptus plantations, driven by the scarcity and rising cost of locally available fuelwood. This article relies on archival research, historical cartography and forestry and botanical reports to examine the intersection between environmental history, colonial economics and the sciences of plant acclimatisation. It analyses how the introduction of the exotic genus Eucalyptus illustrates the Angolan landscape’s plasticity and the human-driven transformations resulting from colonial economic and ecological strategies. The study emphasises how botany and forestry were utilised to bolster colonial governance, providing scientific validation for the systematic selection of Eucalyptus. More than merely a technical response to resource scarcity, Eucalyptus developed into a bioeconomic agent and a crucial species within the Portuguese colonial endeavour, playing a significant role in transforming Angola’s economic infrastructure and forest landscape. From this perspective, the article offers new insights into the dynamic relationship between forest exploitation, scientific understanding and imperial ambitions in 20th-century Angola.