Animals:
- Cattle: Cattle were introduced to Africa by early settlers and explorers, primarily for food and transportation. Native African cattle breeds co-evolved with the local environment and developed resistance to diseases. However, the introduction of exotic cattle led to the transmission of diseases like bovine tuberculosis and East Coast Fever, adversely affecting indigenous cattle populations.
- Pigs: Like cattle, pigs were also brought by early settlers for their meat. Some domestic pigs escaped or were released into the wild and formed feral populations that competed with native wildlife for food and resources.
- Rabbits: Rabbits were introduced in certain regions of Africa as pets and for hunting purposes. However, they became invasive, rapidly reproducing and consuming crops, which led to conflicts with local farmers.
- Nile Perch: The Nile Perch, native to the Nile Basin, was introduced to Lakes Victoria, Kyoga, and Turkana in the late 1950s and 1960s to increase fish production. While it boosted fisheries in the short term, it disrupted the local ecosystem, preying on native fish species and causing their populations to decline.
Plants:
- Rubber Trees: Rubber trees, originally native to South America, were introduced to African countries like Liberia and Nigeria during the colonial period. The establishment of rubber plantations led to the loss of vast areas of rainforests and affected local ecosystems.
- Coffee: Coffee was introduced to Ethiopia and later to other African countries by Arab traders. Today, Africa produces a significant portion of the world's coffee, and it has become an important cash crop for many countries.
- Sugarcane: Sugarcane was brought to Africa by Portuguese settlers and became widely cultivated in regions such as South Africa, Mauritius, and coastal East Africa. Large-scale sugarcane plantations contributed to deforestation and water resource depletion in some areas.
- Water Hyacinth: One of the most problematic invasive plants in Africa is the Water Hyacinth. Native to South America, it was introduced as an ornamental plant but rapidly multiplied, clogging waterways and water bodies. The Water Hyacinth impedes water flow, obstructs fishing activities, and provides breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects.