A typical savanna acacia, it is native to Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Israel, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Republic of, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is widespread in semi-arid areas of Africa from Senegal to Egypt south to Malawi and Zimbabwe. In Kenya, it is found in the open or bushed grasslands and woodlands, especially at the foot of hills and on plains, often as the dominant tree.

A. seyal can be propagated by seedlings, wildings, direct sowing at site and suckers. The trees can be cut at the age of 8 - 15 years, depending on population pressure and demand for wood. Sometimes the stem is cut at 1.5 - 2 m above the ground to allow the development of a new canopy; Pruning of small branches gives better forage yield than lopping of large branches, pollarding and coppicing may also be undertaken in its management. Evaluation of the response to lopping and cutting of A. seyal var. seyal indicates limited recovery capacity in mature trees. Beating branches to detach leaves and fruits without damaging the axially buds is therefore preferred over lopping to make good use of these trees as dry season source of fodder. It may occurs in woodlots and mixed enrichment planting systems

Above forty species of insects are reportedly associated with A. seyal though bostrychid, Sinoxylon senegalense is the most notorious in swiftly locating and infesting freshly cut woods especially if lying on the ground.

Infestation can be minimized by removal of the bark and stacking cut stems upright. Treatment of the woods by creosote to prolongs its durability.