Acacia nilotica subsp. nilotica is a perennial tree native to Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

. It has also been introduced to the Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...

 area and to the Middle East

Middle East

The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...

.
The young seed pods and young foliage are edible. The raw or dried seeds are eaten when food is scarce.
The seed pods of A. nilotica sensu lato subsp. nilotica have a tannin content of about 25-33.8%. The pods without seeds have a tannin content of about 50%.
The sapwood produces 4500kcal/kg when burned as firewood.