On 19th May 2025, at the Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, stakeholders, led by the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Blue Economy (DARBE) of the African Union Commission, launched the African Soil Information System (AfSIS).
The launch marks a significant milestone in managing the continent’s most valuable production asset: African soils. For years, various efforts have been made to build soil information systems across the continent. However, these efforts often resulted in fragmented data collected using inconsistent formats, sampling techniques, and analysis methods. The data were simply not interoperable, limiting their utility and contribution to agricultural development and ecological services.
The Soils4Africa Project, implemented by 17 organizations drawn from Africa and Europe and supported by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 funding instrument, has laid the groundwork to fulfill the African vision of having its own soil information system. The project partners have developed a robust soil sampling methodology, protocol, and analysis method over the last five years. They have collected soil samples from 33 African countries, analyzed the data, and developed the African Soil Information System. This system serves as the launchpad for a more robust platform entrenched in the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan, tailored to meet all the identified needs for a soil information system in Africa.
Dr. Janet Edeme, Head of Rural Development Division & Acting Head of Agriculture, African Union Commission
In a keynote address delivered on behalf of His Excellency Moses Viliakati, the Commissioner for DARBE, by Dr. Janet Edeme, Head of the Rural Development Division and Acting Head of Agriculture at the African Union Commission, he reiterated the urgent need for a fully functional soil information system to inform policy decisions on land use, investment in fertilizer manufacturing, blending, and use, as well as effective soil management. He emphasized the need for Africa to build on existing strong foundations—as exemplified by the Soils4Africa project—rather than reinventing the wheel.
Professor Ayasu Elias, State Minister for Agriculture, Ethiopia
Professor Ayasu Elias, the State Minister for Agriculture in Ethiopia, emphasized the importance of a reliable soil information system in agricultural development. He highlighted Ethiopia’s progress in utilizing its national soil information to drive notable successes in the country’s agricultural sector.
Ms. Bongiwe Njobe, Chair of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Board of Directors
Madam Bongiwe Njobe, Chair of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Board of Directors, also underscored the role of soil information systems in developing localized fertilizer blends and guiding efficient fertilizer use across Africa. She called on African stakeholders to “jealously guard” the system and ensure its full utilization.
Rik van den Bosch, Director General of ISRIC – World Soil Information
Rik van den Bosch, Director General of ISRIC – World Soil Information, highlighted ISRIC’s global leadership in soil data and its role in supporting continents, including Africa, in building robust soil information systems. He noted that African soil data belongs to Africa; it should be hosted by an African organization and developed in line with Africa’s interests.
Dr. Elise van Eynde of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), handing over the emblem of the Soil Information System to the African Union,
In a well-animated handover ceremony, the European Union representative at the occasion, Dr. Elise van Eynde of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), handed over the emblem of the Soil Information System to the African Union, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to the AU-EU partnership for agricultural research and development. While receiving the emblem on behalf of the African Union, Madam Bongiwe Njobe expressed FARA’s commitment to host the continental Soil Information System and rally stakeholders to develop it into a fully functional instrument that serves African needs and interests.
By Benjamin Abugri, Richard Kombat and Shaquille Pennaneach
February 20, 2025 – The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), in collaboration with the ORCaSa project and OCP Africa, successfully hosted a webinar on “Strengthening Collaboration on Soil Carbon: Roles and Opportunities for the Africa Chapter of the International Research Consortium (IRC-SC).” The event attracted about 200 participants from across the world, reflecting a growing global interest in soil carbon management and its implications for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
Moderated by Prof. Oluwole Fatunbi, Director for Research and Innovation at FARA, the webinar featured a distinguished panel of speakers, including Dr Aggrey Agumya (Executive Director, FARA), Dr Suzanne Reynders (ORCaSa Project), Dr Joseph Kugbe (OCP Africa), and Mathieu Nogues (ORCaSa Project). The discussions centered on the importance of soil carbon management and strategies to enhance Africa’s contribution to global efforts in soil health, climate change mitigation, and food security.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Aggrey Agumya emphasized four key points:
1. Soil Carbon Management is Fundamental: Dr. Agumya highlighted the critical role of soil carbon in processes essential to life, resilience, and sustainable development. He linked soil health to climate change mitigation, adaptation, food security, and nutrition security, stressing the urgency of addressing soil degradation.
2. Science and Capacity Building: Recognizing the importance of scientific research, he underscored the need for Africa to develop its own capacity in soil carbon management. He called for investments in generating new knowledge while also intelligently borrowing from global research advancements.
3. Overcoming Fragmentation: Dr. Agumya noted that fragmentation has been a significant barrier to Africa’s development, affecting political, economic, and scientific cooperation. He stressed the need for mechanisms that enhance coordination and cooperation, citing FARA and the ORCaSa project as critical initiatives driving collaboration and economies of scale.
4. Strengthening Africa’s Role in Global Initiatives: He acknowledged that while other continents have established their International Research Consortium (IRC) nodes, Africa is in the process of catching up. He emphasized that this webinar serves as a platform for strategizing how Africa can accelerate its engagement and contribute meaningfully to global soil carbon management efforts.
Dr. Agumya concluded by encouraging active participation from stakeholders, assuring that FARA will follow up on the discussions and ensure continuous engagement beyond the webinar.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Agumya extended his gratitude to the key stakeholders driving this initiative, particularly acknowledging the leadership and dedication of those leading the process.
“My first comment is to thank you for leading this process, for being the champion, for the passion that you put into this work, and for the intellectual leadership that you provide.”
Dr. Agumya also acknowledged Mathieu Nogues for his global efforts in establishing IRC nodes across different continents and leading the ORCaSa project and Dr. Joseph Kugbe’s enlightening presentation, highlighting Africa’s capacity in soil carbon management. However, he noted that while Africa has the expertise, it remains scattered and fragmented, emphasizing the need for mechanisms like the IRC to unify these efforts and create a critical mass for meaningful progress.
He further appreciated all participants for investing their time in this first engagement and recognized their valuable contributions to shaping the African chapter of the IRC on soil carbon.
“At FARA, we believe in inclusivity in continental initiatives, and this is one of them. This is just the beginning of a series of engagements, and we will continue to refine and build upon the insights shared today. We will share the key takeaways, and I invite you all to participate in subsequent discussions,” he added.
With these remarks, Dr. Agumya formally closed the webinar, reinforcing FARA’s commitment to following up on the discussions and ensuring continued engagement in improving soil carbon management in Africa.
The webinar marks a significant step in fostering international collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and policy advocacy for African soil carbon management. As discussions continue, this initiative is expected to catalyze tangible actions that contribute to improved soil health, sustainable land management, and climate resilience across the continent.
Kindly find the presentations by Mathieu Nogues and Dr. Joseph Kugbe below
Kampala, Uganda – January 10, 2025: During a high-profile side event organized by AUDA-NEPAD and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) at the extraordinary presidential summit for CAADP-3.0, experts underscored the critical role of the private sector in achieving the aspirations of the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH-AP).
Prof. Oluwole Fatunbi, Acting Director for Research and Innovation, delivered a poignant message, highlighting that without meaningful engagement with the private sector, these initiatives risk becoming unattainable aspirations. “The private sector operates on profit motives, not charity or development aid frameworks,” Prof. Fatunbi stated. He called for a paradigm shift, urging governments to focus on creating enabling environments rather than direct involvement in fertilizer production, importation, or subsidy schemes.
Addressing Fertilizer Trade Challenges
Prof. Fatunbi revealed a troubling paradox: while much of Africa’s fertilizer production is exported to earn foreign currency, local farmers rely heavily on imported fertilizers. This dynamic poses significant challenges to local manufacturers, particularly due to governments’ inability to provide sufficient hard currency to facilitate fertilizer trade.
Prof. Wole Fatunbi, Acting Director for Research and Innovation, FARA moderating the panel on ‘achieving the aspirations of the Soil Initiative for Africa and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan
“Fertilizer business is conducted in dollars but sold locally in national currencies,” he noted, emphasizing the financial strain this creates for manufacturers. Moreover, government subsidy programs and payment delays further discourage private sector participation. To address these issues, participants proposed a dual strategy of increasing local fertilizer production and reducing reliance on imports.
Pathway for Sustainable Fertilizer Development
The event highlighted the Africa Fertilizer Finance Mechanism (AFFM) as a vital tool to support local fertilizer manufacturing and promote the use of both organic and mineral fertilizers. Prof. Fatunbi called for the optimization of the AFFM to strengthen Africa’s capacity for self-sufficiency in fertilizer production.
A newly formed Coalition of Private Sector Organizations for Fertilizer Development aims to tackle financing barriers, attract investment, and de-risk fertilizer trade across the continent. This coalition is poised to drive transformative change by ensuring Africa’s fertilizer resources remain on the continent to benefit local farmers, thereby advancing the goals of SIA and AFSH-AP.
A Call for Action
The discussions at the summit reflected a growing consensus: to achieve agricultural sustainability and food security, African governments must facilitate private sector-led fertilizer production while addressing trade and financial barriers. As stakeholders intensify efforts toward implementing the SIA and AFSH-AP, the collaboration between public and private sectors will be critical to ensuring Africa’s soils remain healthy and productive.
The call to action is clear—Africa must seize the opportunity to localize fertilizer production, minimize imports, and empower the private sector to lead the charge for agricultural transformation.
Developing the Regional Hub to coordinate regional actions for the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH-AP) is a key component of the structure to implement the AFSH Summit outcomes. The overall implementation structure (Figure 1) was approved for use over a series of exchanges that involve partners in African agriculture under the oversight of the AUC and the AUDA-NEPAD. The structure that supports the “Africa owned, and Africa Led Process” agenda for the SIA and AFSH-AP devolves overall leadership to AUC and AUDA-NEPAD as the authorizing environment.
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) secretariat is designated as the coordination secretariat for the initiative. The Regional Economic Communities (RECS) and the Sub-Regional Organizations (SROs) in each of the subregions of Africa are expected to establish a regional hub to coordinate the member countries’ actions, among other roles. The West Africa Hub seems to have a structure in place; however, each region needs to develop its regional hub structure that aligns with the socio-cultural circumstances and the REC political system. The SIA secretariat attempts to provide a template for the Hub development and function in the guiding Terms of Reference (ToR) document for the RECS to domesticate.
The SADC secretariat, CCARDESA, with support from AUDA-NEPAD, is running a stakeholders’ workshop to review its Hub establishment document and validate it for subsequent regional endorsement and implementation. The workshop will take place from December 9th to 13th, 2024, at the Rainbow Towers Hotel and Conference Center in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Representing the SIA Secretariat in FARA, Prof Wole Fatunbi presented an overview of the SIA and the AFSH-AP and the progress so far; he further gave a clear insight into the ToRs of the different structures in the implementation framework.
In another section, a presentation titled “Leveraging Agricultural Innovation Platforms for the Implementation of AFSH-AP” discussed the use of innovation platforms for the implementation of the country and the Hub action. It is expected that the Hub and countries in the Southern Africa sub-region will embrace the multistakeholder approach and the key principles in the IAR4D concept.
The SADC had requested its sub-regional organization coordinating agricultural research, CCARDESA to host the regional hub and run all the functions as Secretariat on behalf of the REC.
The workshop addressed the partnership gaps and stakeholders’ model, finetuned the implementation arrangement, and proposed modalities for drawing support from the six established coalitions. As agreed in other stakeholders’ workshops, the coalitions will provide implementation support at the continental, regional, and country levels.
The final document from the workshop is expected to be validated by stakeholders for implementation. The implementation of SIA/AFSH-AP is already being implemented in the countries while the secretariat and the hubs are being established. The issues of soil management in Africa cannot wait for another day; Africa needs to halt the pace of land degradation and start the implementation of effective management practices to ensure soil health. This informs the need for structured coordination of efforts, allocations of mandates to organizations, and implementation of real action rather than unending talks and workshops.
This time, Africa is poised to get it right with the “Africa-owned and Africa-led process” mantra supported by ambitious declarations by the head of state at the May 2024 Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit supported by action-ready experts on the continent.
Wolé Fatunbi, from the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), represents the Soil Carbon International Research Consortium (IRC) regional ambassador for the African continent. Soil health is a real challenge for food security in Africa and for tackling climate change.
How does Africa’s soil compare to the global context?
Africa’s soil is both unique and fragile, distinguished by its age and long history of transformations. The low mineral content and limited depth contribute to reduced levels of organic matter, while the clay minerals found in these soils are mostly low-activity types, which further limits fertility.
Despite these challenges, African soilhas the potential to be productive, but it requires careful management practices. Many farming techniques employed in other regions, particularly mechanised plowing, are often unsuitable for African soils. Such practices can disrupt the delicate balance of nutrients and organic matter, deteriorating the existing soil issues. Furthermore, heavy rainfall events can wash away the scarce remaining organic matter, further depleting the soil’s quality.
Soil health in Africa also plays a critical role in ecological functions, such as carbon sequestration, which is essential for combating climate change. When soil is mismanaged, it loses its ability to store carbon, which can intensify climate impacts while simultaneously reducingagricultural productivity. This creates a cycle that threatens both food security and environmental sustainability.
What is FARA researching in Africa in terms of soil biodiversity and sustainable management?
Maintaining soil biodiversity is one of the leading challenges facing Africa, as it is crucial for sustaining healthy ecosystems. Forest soils, for example, have developed intricate microclimates over centuries, supporting a diverse array of microorganisms, fauna, and flora. When these soils are exposed to agricultural activities or urban development, this balance is disrupted, leading to soil degradation.
The loss of microbial diversity poses a significant risk. Without sufficient microbial life, organic matter cannot effectively break down, and nutrients cannot be properly recycled back into the soil. In light of this, Africa is increasingly interested inbiofertilisers. They work to support microbial populations and enhance soil fertility by promoting nutrient cycling alongside traditional mineral fertilisers.
Another innovative solution being explored is the use of biochar, a carbon-rich material that can improve soil moisture retention and fertility. While biochar itself does not contain nutrients, it can significantly enhance the effectiveness of organic and mineral amendments, making it an important tool in sustainable soil management practices.
It is important to address the misconception that Africa should completely avoid fertilisers. While fertilisers carry a stigma, FARA is actively working on researching bio-based solutions like biochar to offer scientific alternatives. FARA’s role, in coordination with the African Union Commission, is to provide evidence-based research that can guide policy development and inform public opinion to ensure food security and improve livelihoods across the continent.
What’s the role of the regional ambassador for Africa and its involvement in the Soil Carbon IRC?
The ORCaSa project is important for Africa, particularly concerning soil carbon management. As the regional ambassador for Africa, FARA is working to ensure that African stakeholders are actively involved in the Soil Carbon IRC [more than 34 signatories from 18 African countries have expressly shown their interest in joining the IRC]. Though the IRC is still in its emerging stages, there is significant interest among stakeholders. Many are eager to join and contribute, but sustaining this interest requires ongoing activities that demonstrate clear benefits. Forming an alliance is insufficient; African stakeholders need tangible evidence of how their involvement will positively impact their work.
One of our primary goals is to connect the Soil Carbon IRC’s activities with existing frameworks on the continent, such as the African Union’s Soil Initiative and the 10-Year Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan.These long-term frameworks are critical for ensuring that the Soil Carbon IRC remains active and impactful beyond the lifespan of the ORCaSa project, which is set to conclude in 2025.
What are your objectives and key milestones for the Soil Carbon IRC in Africa moving forward?
We aim to prioritisestrategic engagement. By offering stakeholders opportunities to present research, publish findings, and collaborate on projects, we want to encourage motivation and ensure ongoing participation in the Soil Carbon IRC.
We are working to build partnerships between African researchers and their counterparts in other regions. These exchanges of knowledge and resources are highly valued. I have hope that it will strengthen the Soil Carbon IRC and address Africa’s soil health challenges more effectively.
What does FARA gain from participating in the Soil Carbon IRC and the ORCaSa project?
The ORCaSa project aligns closely with Africa’s broader objectives of improving soil health and agricultural productivity. It provides an invaluable opportunity to expand partnerships, share knowledge, and learn from other regions. One of the key benefits for Africa is the chance to communicate its specific challenges and needs to a global audience. We hope this exposure will lead to increased access to resources, such as funding from the Green Climate Fund, which remains undervalued by African nations.
Through our involvement in the Soil Carbon IRC, FARA aims to elevate Africa’s voice in international discussions regarding soil health and climate change. By sharing insights into the challenges faced by African farmers and ecosystems, we hope to advocate for targeted interventions that address these issues effectively.
By collaborating with international partners and stakeholders, we want to ensure that Africa’s specific needs are recognised and addressed in the global discourse on soil health and agricultural sustainability. The goal is to foster practical solutions that will enhance soil and agricultural management, ultimately contributing to improved livelihoods for millions of people across the continent.
An expert in the field of agriculture, Dr. Wole Fatunbi, has identified low household income, poor social capital, low educational level and Nigeria gross domestic product (GDP) as the factors responsible for food insecurity affecting Nigeria while also stating that the Federal government is not sincere with the allocation of the countries budget for agriculture.
Dr. Fatunbi of the Forum of Agricultural Research In Africa (FARA) Ghana stated this while delivering a keynote address during the 2024 National Soil Summit held at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IART) Ibadan.
While speaking at the summit with the theme Soil Information Management: Challenges, Perspectives and Possibilities for Sustainable Land Use and Food Security, he maintained that the Federal government needs to take proactive measures to tackle food shortages and develop partnership for capacity building.
While enumerating the factors that will boost food security, Dr. Fatunbi stated that partnership for capacity building on soil information science, promotion of the research of experts, enhancement of the existing political will to have soil information system are capable of boosting food security.
Other factors according to him, include the establishment of national soil information system, supporting tools from the soil information system and the development of the policies of researchers for data sharing and data use.
The Chief host, Vice Chancellor Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Prof. Simeon Bamire who was represented by the Dean, faculty of agriculture Prof. Akeem Tijani stated that proper education on the importance of soil to healthy crop, advocacy and concrete actions in the field are the best way to maintain healthy soil and that water management strategies formulation and implementation as well as soil survey and land evaluation remain the best way to achieve soil information system.
“The role of IART as an institution with national mandate for soil research over years has contributed to developing improved soil management technologies affordable and adaptable to agro-ecologies of Nigeria.
“The potentials of the institute in research for development has endeared the government and private organisations to rely on her services in the area of soil and agro chemical testing / validation, soil and water management strategies formulation and implementation as well as soil survey and land validation” he remarked.
While welcoming the experts in the field of agriculture to the summit the Director of IAR&T, Prof. Veronica Obatolu emphasised that soil is experiencing a yearly decline despite the availability of improved technologies.
This, according to her has led to increased food insecurity, environmental challenges and economic crisis, she however added that addressing the ongoing issues affecting sustainable land use and agricultural development in the country is crucial at this moment.
“Soil often overlooked is the unsung hero of our ecosystem, it provides 95 per cent of our food, filters our water and regulate the climate, yet soil degradation affects over 33 percent of global land, affecting human health, food security and economic stability” she stated.
Prof. Obatolu disclosed that the summit represents a pivotal moment in various stakeholders’ innovative collective journey to enhance soil health and fertility and to promote sustainable agriculture practices and to foster resilient ecosystem and communities.
In his remark the Minister of Agriculture who was represented by the Oyo State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Florence Kakulu commended the leadership of IAR&T, especially Prof. Veronica Obatolu for working in the line of the ministry to achieve food sufficiency and urged her to continue working with other sister institutions and collaborate with the Federal Government to achieve food sufficiency.
She said the theme of the summit is in tandem with the Federal Government plan to boost food sufficiency in the country and urged Nigerians to utilise any little space within their homes to plant domestic crops.
The summit was supported by Indorama, GIZ, Soil values, SASAKAWA Africa Association and OCP.
