This environmental impact assessment (EIA) framework attempts to provide broad guidelines to help African countries integrate environmental concerns in their National Development Strategies (NDS) through appropriate political, social and economic structures. In some cases, NDS may need to be completely overhauled to give equal considerations to the environment in the march towards sustainable livelihoods and development. It is envisaged that this framework will provide the necessary direction in the mobilization of national human, institutional and technical capacities and resources. The focus of this framework is on development approaches that address sustainable livelihoods of Africa's populations within the context of sound environment management.