African drylands is a research concept identifying the arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions spanning the African continent, characterized by low precipitation and high evaporation rates. As an academic field, it investigates the unique ecological dynamics, biophysical processes, socio-economic systems, and human-environment interactions within these environments, focusing on issues of climate change adaptation, land degradation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods due to their significant area and large human populations.