Tackling Africa’s fertiliser crisis tipped to fix food shocks

Africa's agricultural sector is facing a critical challenge that could have significant implications for the continent's food security and economic stability. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Josefa Sacko from the African Union Commission highlighted the pressing issue of fertilizer use in Africa and its impact on agricultural productivity. Despite the continent's vast arable land, many African countries continue to struggle with low fertilizer usage, leading to depleted soil and limited crop yields. Sacko emphasized the need for urgent action to address this crisis and outlined the goals set by the Abuja Declaration to increase fertilizer usage to 50 kg per hectare by 2015. However, as of 2023, the average fertilizer use in Africa remains below 25 kg per hectare, highlighting the slow progress towards achieving this target. The lack of adequate fertilizer use is further exacerbated by challenges such as climate change, inadequate financing, and heavy reliance on food imports, which contribute to Africa's food insecurity and economic vulnerability. To tackle these issues, Sacko emphasized the importance of developing a robust policy framework for fertilizer use and implementing innovative solutions to enhance agricultural productivity. As Africa looks towards the expiration of the 2014 Malabo Declaration in 2025, there is a critical need to prioritize fertilizer access and utilization in the new post-Malabo 10-year action plan. By investing in fertilizer production facilities, promoting mechanization, and fostering technological innovation in agriculture, African countries have the potential to unlock significant growth opportunities and transform the continent's agricultural landscape. Additionally, addressing the root causes of the fertilizer crisis can help reduce food shocks, increase self-sufficiency, and improve livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers across Africa.