On July 30‑31 in Nairobi, Kenya, stakeholders from across Africa’s fertilizer industry unanimously endorsed the formation of the Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association. This initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s capacity to produce, trade, and boost the use of fertilizers, unlocking the continent’s agricultural potential while prioritizing farmers.
Hosted by the Fertilizer Association of Kenya (FA-K) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), the endorsement event marked a decisive step toward uniting industry actors, strengthening collaboration with policy institutions, and addressing the continent’s persistent challenges in agricultural productivity, hunger, and malnutrition.
Existing fertilizer associations in African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and many others are beneficial on their own levels, but they lack a continental link for industry dialogue—a gap this new initiative aims to fill.
“The Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association will be a strategic partner in translating the 10-Year Action Plan on Fertilizer and Soil Health from policy into practice, ensuring both mineral and organic fertilizers are accessible, effective, and sustainably applied.”
the Honorable Moses Vilakati, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment.
The announcement to commence the process of establishing the association was first made during the 2024 International Fertilizer Association (IFA) Africa Forum, held in South Africa on February 10-12, and at the 2024 Argus Africa Fertilizer Conference, held in Morocco on February 19-21. Participants at both conferences welcomed the development and pledged to be actively engaged in the process.
Executive Secretary of the West African Fertilizer Association (WAFA) and Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association convener and facilitator Dr. Innocent Okuku, together with partners drawn from diverse organizations, spent the past 18 months leading extensive consultations with stakeholders across the fertilizer supply chain, including producers, traders, agro-dealers, associations, and micro, small, and medium enterprises, ensuring the vision for the association reflects the sector’s diversity.
Consultations also engaged key development partners, including IFDC, the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), and AGRA, all of whom expressed strong support for the initiative.
During the Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association endorsement event, Simon Muchigiri of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) delivered welcome remarks on behalf of the Honorable Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for MoALD, in which Kagwe reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the 2024 Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, which culminated in the Nairobi Declaration.
He additionally stressed that the proposed association must keep farmers at the center while building governance structures and action plans to accelerate agricultural transformation.
“The Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association is not only welcome but essential for providing a strong, unified private sector voice that can represent the industry at the continental level,” remarked Muchigiri, representing Kagwe.
Highlighting the potential of the association, William Ng’eno, Vice Chair of FA-K, noted that the Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association will create opportunities for national associations to grow continuously by facilitating knowledge exchange with counterparts across the continent. He further emphasized the need for inclusivity, ensuring that small and medium enterprises, manufacturers, agro-dealers, and organic producers are all actively engaged.
On the importance of collaboration in the fertilizer sector, IFDC’s AfricaFertilizer Program Lead Sebastian Nduva noted that the Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association is expected to serve as a credible platform for learning and experience sharing among diverse actors in the sector.
Nduva highlighted the need for clear, private sector-led action plans and development initiatives, pointing out that the association’s agenda should be member-driven rather than dependent on donor support.
Dr. Janet Edeme, Head of Rural Development and Acting Head of the Agriculture and Food Security Division at the AUC, spoke on behalf of the Honorable Moses Vilakati, the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment.
Underscoring the strategic role of the private sector, Dr. Edeme conveyed Vilakati’s message: “The Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association will be a strategic partner in translating the 10-Year Action Plan on Fertilizer and Soil Health from policy into practice, ensuring both mineral and organic fertilizers are accessible, effective, and sustainably applied.”
Dr. Okuku reiterated that the absence of a unified platform has hindered the private sector’s ability to make credible contributions to Africa’s fertilizer and soil health agenda, but that the Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association will address this issue.
“This new association will fill that gap, serving as a credible, Africa-led voice that brings all actors to the table,” Dr. Okuku declared.
The establishment of the Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association reflects meaningful progress toward uniting the continent’s fertilizer sector, strengthening private sector engagement and advancing sustainable agricultural development across Africa.
Preparations for the association’s formal registration are now underway, including drafting articles of association and bylaws, drawing from the experiences of IFA and the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA).
The official launch of the Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association is set for September 1, during the upcoming Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, as part of a special session entitled “Advancing the Momentum of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan,” dedicated to fertilizer and soil health.
This launch will not only formalize the Association but also signal a new era of collaboration, innovation, and collective action to ensure Africa’s farmers have reliable access to the fertilizer and soil health solutions needed to drive food security and resilience across the continent.
