It is also considered a 'weed of national significance' and an invasive species of concern in Australia, as well as a noxious weed by the federal government of the United States.

[8] This species of tree is the type species of the Linnaean genus Acacia, which derives its name from Greek ἀκακία, akakía, the name given by early Greek botanist-physician Pedanius Dioscorides (c. 40–90 CE) to this tree as a medicinal, in his book Materia Medica.

[12] The specific epithet nilotica was probably given by Linnaeus from the tree's originally known range along the Nile river.

Acacia nilotica or Vachellia nilotica is a tree 5–20 m high with a dense spheric crown, stems and branches usually dark to black coloured, fissured bark, grey-pinkish slash, exuding a reddish low quality gum.

In West Africa, the pods and leaves are considered to have anthelminthic properties on small ruminants and this has been confirmed by in vitro experiments on nematodes.

[20] The tree's wood is "very durable if water-seasoned" and its uses include tool handles and lumber for boats.

The East african tribes living on the savanna use this plant medicinally to treat sore throat, cough, chest pains etc.

Two new[clarification needed] antiprotozoal diterpenes have been isolated from the root bark of Acacia nilotica.