Kigali roundtable sets path for Africa’s soil health, agricultural future

Kigali recently became the epicenter of Africa’s agricultural transformation as experts, policymakers, and private sector leaders convened for a landmark roundtable on the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH-AP) and the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA).

Co-hosted by the Coalition of Implementors for Fertilizers and Soil Health (CIFSH) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), in partnership with the Joint Development Partners, the event explored critical challenges and opportunities surrounding soil health and food security across the continent.

The discussions underscored the urgent need to combat widespread soil degradation, which threatens Africa’s food systems. The focus shifted from declarations to concrete actions aimed at restoring and maintaining healthy soils to boost agricultural productivity.

Shift Toward African-Led Solutions One key theme that emerged was the importance of reducing dependency on external donor funding and prioritizing domestic resource mobilization. Participants emphasized that sustainable agricultural transformation in Africa must be driven by African governments and institutions, aligning policies with local needs and committing national resources. Henk van Duijn, President & CEO of IFDC, highlighted the importance of coordinated action: “At the heart of Africa’s agricultural transformation is our most critical resource—soil. The discussions in Kigali have underscored the need to focus on concrete, collaborative efforts that restore and sustain soil health.”

The private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), was identified as a crucial driver of transformation. By engaging SMEs in the coordination and implementation of soil health projects, Africa can leverage their innovation to scale up efforts. Prof Tilahun Amede, AGRA’s Director of Climate Adaptation, Sustainable Agriculture, and Resilience, reinforced this by calling for localized solutions and strengthening last-mile delivery to smallholder farmers.

Strategic Partnerships and Financial Support Partnerships across sectors emerged as another vital element for success. The roundtable recognized that collaboration between governments, international organizations, private businesses, and financial institutions is critical to addressing Africa’s agricultural challenges. Participants noted that engaging insurance and financial institutions is essential for providing the long-term financial backing needed to sustain soil health initiatives. The African Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM) was highlighted as a key tool to mobilize private sector resources to support these efforts.

Data-Driven Approaches for Impactful Implementation The importance of data and monitoring systems was stressed throughout the discussions. By collecting robust data and tracking key performance indicators, stakeholders can ensure that resources are allocated where they are needed most, leading to more effective and impactful soil health initiatives. This evidence-based approach is seen as essential for driving the success of programs aimed at enhancing food production and sustainability.

Cross-Learning and Regional Synergy Another key outcome of the roundtable was the emphasis on cross-learning and synergy at multiple levels. Regional hubs will play a pivotal role in fostering knowledge exchange and technology sharing between countries. These hubs will serve as coordination centers, streamlining efforts and ensuring that best practices and innovations are disseminated across the continent.

From Policy to Action: The Way Forward The keynote speaker, Antony Chapoto, Executive Director of the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI), called for a shift from policy declarations to real, actionable steps. “To truly transform Africa’s agricultural landscape, we must move beyond mere declarations and commit to concrete, localized actions,” he said. Chapoto urged for more investment in research and development, as well as the establishment of robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems. He stressed the need for Africa-led initiatives that engage all stakeholders and address local challenges.

The roundtable concluded with a unified call to action: to realize the vision of a food-secure Africa, resilient and fertile soils must be achieved through coordinated, African-led efforts. This includes establishing regional hubs, engaging countries ready to advance Soil Health and Fertilizer Use (SHFU) initiatives, and leveraging existing knowledge and resources.

As Africa stands at a critical juncture in its agricultural journey, the discussions in Kigali have laid the foundation for transformative action. With a focus on sustainability, robust partnerships, and innovative approaches, Africa has a unique opportunity to secure its food future and ensure that its soils remain healthy and productive for generations to come. Henk van Duijn concluded, “By mobilizing domestic and international resources, engaging research institutions, the private sector, and forming strategic partnerships, we can safeguard Africa’s agricultural future and ensure that our soils remain fertile and productive for generations to come.”