In mangrove restoration, removing invasive species typically precedes tree planting or hydrological repair. In West Africa (Atlantic-East Pacific region, AEP), the mangrove palm Nypa fruticans (Thunb.) Wurmb., native to the Indo-West Pacific (IWP), was introduced in the early 20th century and has since been viewed as an invasive pest. After more than a century of unsuccessful eradication efforts, it may be time to acknowledge a shifted ecological baseline in West Africa and reconsider continued resistance to Nypa’s presence.

The Sanskrit term nypatithau, meaning “a generous man who gave everything of himself”, reflects how the species is valued across Southeast Asia. Drawing on research from Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the Philippines, this contribution explores the potential for transferring traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) from the IWP to the AEP to enhance the resilience of human mangrove communities. For instance, fresh Nypa fronds offer insect-resistant thatch superior to coconut alternatives, and its inflorescences can be tapped for syrup, which may be converted into vinegar or bioethanol. Harvesting Nypa for local livelihoods could help manage its spread and mitigate its impact on native mangrove species.