Join IFDC at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026!

IFDC’s Chief Operating Officer Bayella Thiam will deliver the opening keynote address at the AFSF 2026 pre-event, “Fertilizer Crisis: Solutions for Africa,” hosted by CGIAR. This high-level dialogue will bring together leaders from science, policy, finance, industry and development cooperation to identify practical pathways for integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), improved fertilizer-use efficiency and the scaling of alternative nutrient sources, including green nitrogen and biofertilizers.

This impactful side event will spotlight the launch of IFDC’s Strategy 2026-2035: Fuel the Farmer, Feed the Soil, Foster the Future. It will address the urgent need for action in the face of food insecurity, soil degradation, fertilizer market disruptions, and climate pressures. The session will feature the new strategic goals of the organization, a fireside chat on the state of soil health and fertilizer innovation in Africa, the official unveiling of the new strategy through a special video premiere, and much more.

This session will showcase how the Soil Values program is advancing practical soil health the innovations, investment technologies, partnerships and delivery models that can be scaled across Africa. Bringing together governments, researchers, development partners, the private sector, and farmer organizations, the discussion will highlight practical solutions including digital soil mapping, integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), market-based delivery approaches, and collaborative partnerships that are restoring soils, improving productivity, and strengthening sustainable agricultural transformation.

The Second Meeting of the Soil Values Program Advisory Committee (PAC) will convene senior representatives from governments, regional institutions, donors, and coalition partners. Building on the first PAC meeting, the session will review progress, discuss strategic priorities, and identify opportunities to align Soil Values with national soil health strategies, regional fertilizer and soil fertility agendas, and investment platforms. The meeting will also strengthen ownership, coordination, and leveraging around soil health as a systems asset for resilient African food systems.