At the 13th Plenary Session of the Global Soil Platform (GSP) held at the FAO campus in Rome, Italy, 3rd – 5th June 2025.
The plenary on soil health featured a key presentation by Christian Witt and Paul Luu of the BMGF and the 4per 1000 initiative; their presentations highlighted the importance of soil health notation for managing soils globally. The BMGF accentuated the importance of the soil information system and the effort and support the foundation provides at the country and continental level in Africa.
In his intervention, Prof. ‘Wole Fatunbi, the Ag. Director of Research and Innovation at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), emphasized the need to tie all efforts on managing the soils in Africa to the continental efforts that reside in the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil health Action Plan (AFSH-AP), the AFSH-AP is the 10 years implementation framework for the SIA. He indicated the importance of the Soil information to achieve the goals of SIA and soil health ambitions. The African president set an ambitious goal of restoring 30% of the degraded lands in Africa to a healthy soil status in 10 years. The current challenge is what is a “Healthy Soil” and what indicators should be measured, what are the thresholds of these different indicators, and what index will help define a healthy soil. While efforts are going on the continent to have the indicators, the cooperation of all stakeholders are essential.
On stimulating the right action, Prof Wole emphasized the need for broad-based communication efforts, especially those that touches the last mile with the soil users, “apparently, they are the ones to ensure their production asset is truly healthy”. In principle, the Africa Soil Information System must be robust enough to provide easily accessible advisory services to the users.
The need to effectively engage all stakeholders within and outside Africa in this drive is vital to achieve the ambition of African leaders in managing the African soil. This is reposed in the SIA and AFSH-AP.
The state of knowledge and technologies about soil carbon management was the crux of discussion at the inaugural workshop of the Africa Node of the International Research Consortium on Soil Carbon (IRC-SC).
At the workshop held on the 26th – 28th May 2025 at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya, the key presentations and discussions are on the subject of
Managing Green Carbon for Soil Health and Climate Change Mitigation in Africa.
Efforts to manage Soil Carbon in Africa: Imperative for SIA and AFSH-AP
Importance of agroforestry to Soil carbon management in Africa: Evidence from the field.
The Contributions of the Mineral Fertilizer to Soil Carbon Management in Africa: The Facts, Myths, and Fallacies
Making the case for Organic fertilizer manufacturing in Africa: Prospect, and benefits to carbon management
The role of capacity building on Soil organic carbon management in Africa: Imperative for Agroecology transition
Importance of Soil data to soil carbon management in Africa
The discussions pointed to the need to manage soil Carbon effectively as the key to halting soil degradation in Africa. Statistics show that Africa holds only 10% of the total carbon soil in the world due to the nature and properties of its soil. Despite this condition, the rate of loss of carbon soil is high due to agricultural practices and other land uses. This has a significant negative effect on agricultural productivity, ecosystem services, and climate change. The continental effort to manage African soil is the development of the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH-AP).
Various scientific studies have indicated that integrated soil fertility management remains the best approach to ensuring agricultural productivity in Africa. It is vital to combine the application of organic fertilizer to manage soil carbon and mineral fertilizer to supply plant nutrients. A sound soil information system is necessary to develop a robust advisory tool that combines Soil information with agronomic, climatic, and market data and uses the best ICT tool to inform site-specific mineral and organic fertilizer applications.
The need for abundant biomass to produce organic fertilizer at an industrial level has received the attention of the private sector in recent years, and the momentum is building up across the continent. Efforts are needed to do appropriate labelling to inform both the humus and the nutrient content of the manufactured organic fertilizer. On another note, scientific action is needed to make recommendations on the humus application rate that will support a specific quantity of mineral fertilizer to ensure adequate supply to the plant without loss to the environment.
The Africa IRC-SC is established as part of global efforts to Raise Awareness on Soil carbon management, develop and disseminate scientific knowledge, and promote public-private synergies, implement thematic programming, contribute to a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), and expand the scope of knowledge and action of Soil carbon management.
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.
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and ISRIC – World Soil Information are collaborating to strengthen Africa’s agricultural transformation by addressing a critical but often overlooked factor: soil health and information management. Both institutions are key partners under the African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Partnership for Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) and have been at the forefront of initiatives to drive agricultural innovation across the continent.
One such initiative is the Soils for Africa (S4A) Initiative, which has been pivotal in shaping Africa’s agricultural landscape. The S4A initiative has developed a continental, harmonised baseline of soil information crucial for decision support. It responds to the longstanding fragmentation of soil data in Africa, providing policymakers, fertiliser manufacturers, extension service providers, smallholder farmers, and the private sector with reliable, actionable soil data to inform better decisions for sustainable agricultural practices.
Building on this momentum, FARA and ISRIC are conducting a first-level Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for selected African ICT and Knowledge Management (KM) experts. This important step aims to strengthen national and regional capacities to use and host the African Soils Information database developed under the Soils for Africa initiative, now being advanced through the Soils Initiative for Africa (SIA) championed by the African Union Commission (AUC). The AUC has designated FARA as the Technical Support Organisation for the African Soil Information System and the Soils Initiative for Africa.
The Accra Training: Building the First Cohort of Soil Information Ambassadors
The first cohort training is taking place in Accra, Ghana, from April 23 to 26, 2025. Participants selected are undergoing intensive capacity development on the technical and operational aspects of soil information systems, positioning them as the first ambassadors in scaling the African Soil Information System across the continent.
A strong call to action marked the opening ceremony on April 23. Delivering remarks on behalf of the Executive Director of FARA, Dr Aggrey Agumya, the Acting Director for Research and Innovation, Prof Oluwole Fatunbi, welcomed participants and highlighted the critical importance of the initiative:
He noted that the gathering represented a pool of experts tasked with addressing the current fragmentation of soils data across Africa, a gap ISRIC is technically supporting to bridge.
He underscored the strategic importance of soil information to key stakeholders – from fertilizer companies to extension workers and policymakers – emphasizing that managing Africa’s soils better is fundamental to agricultural transformation.
Trainees were encouraged to take the opportunity seriously, likening them to the “first apostles” of the Soil Information System rollout.
He also pointed to future plans to scale this effort under the African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) Project, funded by the European Commission, expected to commence later in the year.
Finally, he warmly welcomed all participants to Accra, with a special mention to the technical trainers from ISRIC.
In her remarks, Mary Steverink-Mosugu, Projects Coordinator from ISRIC, expressed appreciation to FARA for the strong collaboration and reiterated ISRIC’s commitment to supporting Africa’s drive for better soil management through technical excellence and shared expertise.
A Deep Dive into Soil Information Systems: Program Highlights
Facilitated by Luis Calisto and Eric Asamoah, both experts from the ISRIC – World Soil Information, the four-day training program was designed to provide a comprehensive and practical immersion into soil information systems and related technologies:
Main Workshop Facilitator Luis Calisto, ISRIC
Day 1: Participants received an overview of the Soils for Africa project and the upcoming AUSO project. Key sessions covered soil data collection principles, FAIR data (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) practices, and methodologies for organising and serving soil data.
Day 2: The training featured a guided tour of the Soil Information System (SIS), hands-on exploration of SIS interfaces, and a technical breakdown of SIS architecture and its integration components.
Day 3: Participants delved deeper into advanced SIS architecture topics, including Git repositories, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CICD) pipelines, and assessment of FARA’s human and infrastructure capacity readiness for hosting and expanding the system.
Day 4: The final day focused on evaluating training outcomes, assessing FARA’s policy and infrastructure landscape for soil information system deployment, and defining next steps for broader rollout and sustainability.
The workshop concluded with a call for continuous collaboration and knowledge sharing as Africa sets the foundation for a robust, accessible, open and user-driven soil information system critical for achieving sustainable food systems on the continent.
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.
