Summary: African soils are in danger, and this crisis threatens to disrupt food security and ecosystems, potentially leading to famine and nutritional challenges. Healthy soil is essential for human existence on earth. Healthy soils have biological, physical and chemical properties found in their top layer, or topsoil, that sustain plant and animal productivity, soil biodiversity and environmental quality.   Healthy topsoil is a key factor in bolstering agriculture productivity in Africa. Yet it is known that African soils are in a crisis. Addressing this urgent issue requires a collaborative effort involving policy and regulation, funding, private and community interventions, and, crucially, the leadership of African research and training institutions. These entities are pivotal in restoring Africa’s soil health and ensuring the appropriate use of fertilizers.  The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSHS), held in Nairobi, sought to address these pressing issues. The Summit’s primary goal was to establish an Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan, a roadmap designed to tackle the challenges of declining soil health and low fertilizer efficacy across the continent. This plan, envisioned to guide efforts until 2030, aims to enhance agricultural productivity through sustainable practices and robust policy frameworks.  During the Summit, the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), in collaboration with Michigan State University (MSU) and the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI), organized a critical side event. This event underscored the indispensable role that African research and training institutions play in shaping and implementing policy reforms for fertilizer and soil health programs.  The Vital Role of African Research and Training Institutions  African research and training institutions are custodians of knowledge and expertise, uniquely positioned to drive sustainable agricultural practices and to address ongoing soil degradation. Their role in promoting sustainable practices and conducting extensive research is central to the success of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan. These institutions, including universities, scientific crop and livestock institutes, and policy research think tanks, are essential in providing thought leadership, policy engagement, and the development of key solutions and implementation strategies.  Professor Thom S. Jayne of MSU highlighted this during his keynote presentation at the side event. He emphasized that effective implementation of soil health initiatives requires the involvement of trusted local institutions. “The message coming from established local actors will generate much greater trust and commitment than the same message from externally funded outside interests,” he noted. This sentiment reflects a broader recognition that African-led initiatives are crucial for achieving lasting impact and engagement with African governments.  Challenges and Collaborative Efforts  Implementing these initiatives is not without challenges. African food systems face pressures from climate change, population growth, conflict, and land degradation. Innovation is necessary to adapt to these conditions, and this innovation must be driven by robust agricultural research and extension systems. As Thomas Jayne stated, “Innovation is required for African founding populations to survive and remain competitive and productive in the face of all these changes.”  However, the adoption of innovative soil fertility practices among smallholder farmers remains low. Many farmers struggle to consistently implement practices like crop rotations, intercropping legumes, and recycling organic matter. To address this according to Thom Jayne, there must be strong bi-directional learning systems where farmers benefit from new technologies, and scientists understand and address the barriers to adoption.  Path Forward: Empowering Local Institutions  The need for empowering local African institutions will be key to responding to the call implementation of the actions plans. However the local institutions will need to take into account  challenges such as;  the need for building national coalitions of stakeholders and defining local level coordination mechanisms as well as resources including human and financial These institutions must be supported to fulfill their mandates, drive research and innovation, and implement policies that reflect the realities and needs of African agriculture on the ground. Professor Titus Awokuse from MSU underscored the importance of these partnerships. “Stakeholders must collaborate and contribute to the success of the action plans, from providing leadership and coordination to investing resources and actively participating in the implementation process,” he said. This collaborative approach ensures that the action plans are not just theoretical but are translated into tangible outcomes that benefit farmers and communities across Africa.  Conclusion  The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit and its associated events highlighted the critical need for a concerted effort to address soil health and fertilizer use in Africa. By leveraging the expertise and leadership of African research and training institutions, supported by a collaborative network of stakeholders, there is a real opportunity to create a more sustainable and productive agricultural future for the continent. The success of these initiatives will not only restore soil health but also enhance food security and resilience, ensuring a prosperous future for Africa and its people. Inherently, this is not a small feat, given the diverse multistakeholder partnerships, alongside the complex nature of various governments, it requires careful navigation. Titus Awokuse reminded everyone that “even though our conversations may take many forms and go in different directions, we need to always remember it's about the people. It's about families, children and individuals that don't have a voice, therefore in our conversations we need to think carefully on how to leverage our positions of privilege to make their voices heard”  Read more