EAC High-Level Forum to Tackle Fertilizer Challenges and Boost Agricultural Productivity

Kigali, Rwanda

The East African Community (EAC) is set to host a High-Level Forum focused on expanding fertilizer finance and investment across regional production and supply chains. The forum, taking place from September 18-19, 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda, aims to address the critical challenges faced by the fertilizer subsector and explore transformative strategies to enhance agricultural productivity across the EAC.

The agricultural sector in the EAC is a vital component of the regional economy, heavily reliant on key inputs such as fertilizers to boost crop yields and improve livelihoods. However, the fertilizer subsector faces significant hurdles, including limited local production, regulatory gaps, tariff and non-tariff barriers, and a lack of coordinated regional supply chains. As a result, EAC Partner States continue to depend heavily on imported fertilizers, which are often costly and difficult for smallholder farmers to access.

To tackle these pressing issues, the EAC Secretariat commissioned a rapid State of Affairs Assessment in August 2024, documenting the current status of the fertilizer subsector in the region. The assessment highlighted critical opportunities for finance and investment, scaling up manufacturing capacity, and implementing trade facilitation measures to improve the availability, accessibility, and affordability of fertilizers.

Transforming the Fertilizer Subsector

The High-Level Forum will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, development partners, financing institutions, farmers’ associations, and fertilizer manufacturers. These stakeholders will discuss the findings of the State of Affairs Report and prioritize practical interventions aimed at transforming the fertilizer subsector in the EAC region.

Key discussions will focus on scaling up local manufacturing capacities to reduce dependency on imports, streamlining legal and regulatory frameworks to encourage investment, and removing tariff and non-tariff barriers to create a more conducive environment for fertilizer trade. By addressing these challenges, the forum aims to develop a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable fertilizer markets, ultimately boosting agricultural productivity and improving food security in the region.

The forum’s outcomes are expected to shape future policies and investments, ensuring a more robust and sustainable agricultural sector in the EAC.

Looking Ahead

The High-Level Forum represents a significant step towards addressing the challenges facing the fertilizer subsector in the EAC. By fostering dialogue and cooperation among key stakeholders, the forum aims to lay the groundwork for a more coordinated and effective approach to fertilizer production, supply, and usage across the region.

As the EAC continues to prioritize agricultural development as a key driver of economic growth, the outcomes of this forum will play a critical role in shaping the future of agriculture in East Africa. With a clear focus on enhancing fertilizer accessibility and affordability, the region is poised to make significant strides toward achieving food security and sustainable development goals.

For more information about the forum and its outcomes, please contact the EAC Secretariat at eac@eachq.org.