In the news

• Africa Science News: USD10m investment hub launched to improve soil fertility in West Africa
• Hub Consortium Press Release: Fertilizer and Soil Health Center launched to enhance agricultural productivity in West Africa and the Sahel

The new Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub for West Africa and the Sahel is a collaborative initiative designed to improve soil health, fertility, and agricultural productivity in the region. 

To be launched in 2024 as a sub-program of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Hub is primarily funded by the World Bank through the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project and by OCP Africa, and brings together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), and University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P).

The vision of the new Regional Hub is for nations in West Africa and the Sahel to improve long-term soil health and fertility for enhanced yield and profitability, efficient resource use (nutrients, water, labour), and climate resilience, thus contributing to the sustainable transformation of African smallholder agriculture for food security, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability. 

This launch event at AFSH24 marks the beginning of the Hub's activities and investments, in alignment with the ECOWAS Roadmap for Fertilizer and Soil Health.

About the event

This side event will offer insights into the Hub's mission to facilitate the delivery of agronomic gains at regional, national, and sub-national levels through fertilizer and soil health management practices, capacity development, and stakeholder collaboration. 

Note:

In-person attendance at the launch event also requires prior registration for the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, which must be completed by April 25, 2024. 

Program

(Subject to change)

I. Opening Session

• Welcome & Introductions: Georgie Ndirangu (Master of Ceremonies) 
• Opening Address: Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, Special Envoy & Emeritus Director General of IITA, President of Africa Agricultural Leadership Institute (AALI)
   

II. The Challenge - What are the Current Challenges in Soil Health and Fertilizer Sector in West Africa and the Sahel?

• Demand Countries Insights
  • Feedback from Participating Countries, including Benin and Mali 
• Funder Insights 
  • Katie Kennedy Freeman, Senior Agriculture Economist - World Bank 
  • Ana Maria Loboguerrero, Director – Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research in Africa (AICCRA)
     

III. The Solution - How are we addressing the Demand? 

• Presentation of the Regional Hub Model: Dr. Bernard Vanlauwe, Deputy Director General for Research for Development of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) 
• Panel Discussion and Signing Ceremony: The Role of Regional Collaboration in Addressing Soil Health Issues
  
  Moderator: Dr. Nteranya Sanginga
  • Alain Sy Traore, Director, Agriculture and Rural Development - ECOWAS
  • Henk van Duijn, CEO/President - International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
  • Hettiti Mohamed, COO and SVP - OCP Africa for the East Region 
  • Shamie Zingore, Director for Research - African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI)
  • Bruno Gerard, Dean at UM6P - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P)
     
• Consortium Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding
   

IV. Signing Ceremony & Closing Session

• Closing Remarks: Simeon Ehui, Director-General for IITA and Regional Director for Continental Africa for CGIAR
   

About the Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub for West Africa and The Sahel

The Hub's mission is to promote sustainable agricultural practices by facilitating the delivery of agronomic gains through efficient resource use, enhanced climate resilience, and the adoption of best practices in soil health management. 

By focusing on information dissemination, capacity development, policy support, and resource mobilization, the Hub aims to make a tangible impact on food security, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability.

The Hub headquarters is located at the IITA campus in Ibadan, Nigeria, with a subsidiary hub at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) in Ben Guerir, Morocco.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact Barbra Muzata (b.muzata@cgiar.org)