Supporting coordinated phosphorus stewardship for Africa's food security
The African Phosphorus Platform for Food Security (APPFS) is an Africa-led coordination and technical support platform designed in alignment with the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH) Action Plan—positioning phosphorus as a strategic entry point because phosphorus sits at the heart of soil health, fertilizer efficiency, productivity, and long-term food security in the African continent.
- Learn more about APPFS
- Read the Africa Phosphorus Brief
- Contact us
WHY APPFS
— WHY NOW
1. Many soils across Africa are deficient in plant-available phosphorus, constraining agricultural productivity and soil health.Yet phosphorus remains under-recognized in many African soil health and fertilizer decisions, for example, in monitoring, policy and investment decisions, despite having strong continental commitments on soil health and fertilizers.
2. Phosphorus-related evidence, initiatives and expertise remain dispersed across countries and institutions, limiting opportunities for coordinated action and knowledge exchange.
3. Decision-makers need clearer, context-specific evidence to translate phosphorus knowledge into policy, investment and implementation priorities.
STRENGTHENING COHERENCE AND INTEGRATION
APPFS supports the delivery of Africa’s fertilizer and soil-health commitments by reinforcing existing frameworks, connecting expertise and improving coordination rather than creating parallel structures.
WHAT CHANGES BECAUSE APPFS EXISTS
Phosphorus becomes a visible and strategic element in soil health, fertilizer efficiency, and food security
Decision-makers can see where the needs are most urgent and where action matters most
Existing evidence and initiatives translate into clear priorities, trade-offs, and decisions.
OUR WORK
APPFS contributes to strengthening the coordination and technical efforts
to integrate phosphorus stewardship within Africa’s soil health and fertilizer frameworks through three concrete services:
Supporting mapping and visibility on “who is doing what” and facilitating structured exchange across actors — in complementarity with existing coordination mechanisms.
APPFS supports the consolidation and monitoring of phosphorus-related evidence, initiatives and developments across Africa to help identify priorities, gaps and opportunities for action.
APPFS translates scientific and technical evidence into accessible, decision-oriented knowledge products that can support policy, investment and programme development.
For more information on APPFS's work, get in touch.
CONTINENTAL
ALIGNMENT
APPFS is aligned with and contributes to the implementation of key
African agricultural frameworks
- Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH) Action Plan
- African fertilizer use efficiency commitments and agendas.
- Broader soil health and agricultural transformation frameworks
APPFS works in support of existing institutional processes, reinforcing
coherence and evidence use.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Over time, APPFS contributes to:
-
Better coordination
and alignment of programs
and investments -
Improved integration of
phosphorus in monitoring
systems -
Enhanced use of evidence
in decision-making -
Stronger policy coherence
on soil health and fertilizers
Founding Members
PARTNERS
APPFS is currently engaging institutional partners while formal membership modalities are being developed
APPFS operates through partnership, collaboration, and mutual reinforcement of mandates.
Interested in joining? We welcome enquiries and expressions of interest from institutions and stakeholders wishing to engage with APPFS.
GET INVOLVED
APPFS welcomes collaboration from institutions working across research, policy,
development, and implementation.
Become a partner
Join the network and contribute to shaping Africa’s phosphorus stewardship agenda.
Stay updated
Subscribe to receive publications, event announcements, and platform updates.
- Subscribe
Request a briefing
APPFS is available for institutional briefings and presentations. Get in touch to learn more.
- Request one