Africa took a decisive step toward transforming its fertilizer and soil health landscape when key stakeholders gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, from July 30–31, 2025, for a high-level Technical Convening on the Establishment of the Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association.The convening brought together leaders from across the fertilizer value chain — including manufacturers, blenders, distributors, policymakers, researchers, and development partners — united by a shared goal: to create a strong, coordinated, and private-sector-driven continental platform for Africa’s fertilizer industry.
Why The Pan-African fertilizer Association Matters
Africa’s agricultural productivity remains constrained by low fertilizer use, fragmented markets, policy inconsistencies, and limited coordination across countries. While several national fertilizer associations exist, the absence of a pan-African industry body has long limited collective advocacy, market intelligence sharing, and coordinated engagement with governments and continental institutions.
The Pan-African Fertilizer Industry Association was conceived to fill this critical gap.
The association is envisioned as Africa’s unified voice for the fertilizer industry, supporting:
- Deeper Private-sector participation across all regions of Africa
- Sustainable fertilizer production and use
- Improved soil health and crop nutrition
- Policy harmonization and regulatory reform
- Investment and trade facilitation
About the Technical Convening in Nairobi
Hosted in Nairobi and convened with the support of regional and continental partners, the July 2025 meeting was not a ceremonial event, it was a technical, strategy-driven working session to design the framework for the pan-African association.
Over two intensive days, participants focused on:
- building consensus on the need to establish the continental association
- Defining vision, mission, and strategic objectives of the association
- Considering options of Names and selecting the most appropriate name
- Designing inclusive governance and membership structures
- Identifying priority areas for policy engagement and industry support
- Aligning the association’s role with continental frameworks such as the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan
- Ensuring representation across mineral, organic, and specialty fertilizer segments, as well as SMEs and large-scale operators
- Developing immediate next steps towards its formal launch
The convening emphasized practical solutions, ensuring that association would be responsive to real industry needs while remaining farmer-focused and sustainability-driven.
Key Outcomes of the Convening
1. Consensus on a Continental Industry Platform
Participants unanimously endorsed the establishment of a pan-African, private-sector-led association that complements existing national and regional fertilizer bodies rather than replacing them. The pan-African association is to be known as Africa Fertilizer Industry Development Association (AFIDA)
2. A Clear Industry-Driven Mandate
AFIDA’s mandate was framed around enabling the fertilizer industry to:
- Engage effectively with policymakers
- Improve market transparency and intelligence
- Support fertilizer access, affordability, and responsible use
- Strengthen Africa’s fertilizer supply chains
3. Commitment to Farmer-Centered Impact
Discussions repeatedly emphasized that farmers remain the ultimate beneficiaries of AFIDA’s work. From policy advocacy to product development, all efforts must translate into better yields, healthier soils, and increased food security.
4. Alignment with Africa’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda
AFIDA was positioned as a key private-sector partner in advancing continental priorities, including soil health restoration, climate-smart agriculture, and food systems resilience.
From Convening to Action
The Nairobi technical convening laid the groundwork for AFIDA’s formal launch later in 2025, transitioning the association from planning to implementation. Following the meeting:
AFIDA began positioning itself as a trusted industry partner to governments, development institutions, and farmers
Governance and operational frameworks were established
Stakeholder engagement expanded across African regions
What AFIDA Means Going Forward
AFIDA represents a new chapter for Africa’s fertilizer industry, one defined by collaboration instead of fragmentation, strategy instead of isolation, and impact instead of intention.
By strengthening the fertilizer value chain, AFIDA will help:
- Improve fertilizer availability and affordability
- Encourage responsible and efficient fertilizer use
- Support sustainable soil health management
- Enhance agricultural productivity and food security across Africa
Join the Movement
AFIDA invites fertilizer manufacturers, blenders, distributors, agro-dealers, researchers, and industry stakeholders across Africa to become part of this transformative journey.
Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient fertilizer industry that supports Africa’s farmers and feeds the continent sustainably.
