Progress Towards Sustainable Soil Health Systems in West Africa and the Sahel

This 2026 update provides an overview of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture’s (IITA) coordinated efforts toward the operationalization of the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health (RHFSH) under the AICCRA Performance Indicator (IPI) 1.2. Building on key 2025 milestones, including the establishment of governance structures, stakeholder engagement processes, and initial country collaborations, the reporting period marks a transition from institutional set-up to operational delivery across West Africa and the Sahel.

As the foundational or “backend” infrastructure supporting the AICCRA–Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH) framework, IPI 1.2 underpins regional coordination, technical delivery, and collaborative implementation. Progress during the reporting period was advanced across three key dimensions: operationalization of Hub functions; technical backstopping and country support; and communication and visibility systems.

Key achievements included the activation of logistical, administrative, and technical systems across Wave 1 countries—Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone—alongside strengthened governance and strategic partnerships. The Hub also delivered demand-driven technical assistance aimed at harmonizing soil health data, improving fertilizer recommendations, and strengthening national implementation capacity. The Hub also provided demand-driven technical assistance to national institutions through advisory services, targeted missions, and institutional collaborations aimed at harmonizing soil health data, improving fertilizer recommendations, and strengthening implementation capacity. In parallel, investments in communication platforms, including the Hub’s website, newsletter, and social media channels, enhanced stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, and regional visibility.

Collectively, these efforts demonstrate significant progress in positioning the RHFSH as a coordinated, data-driven regional platform for advancing sustainable fertilizer and soil health systems across West Africa and the Sahel.