Pan-African Parliament Adopts Landmark Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management in Africa

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), on Thursday, during the Sixth Ordinary Session of its Sixth Legislature, adopted the Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management in Africa, marking a historic milestone in the continent’s pursuit of sustainable development, food security, and environmental protection.

The adoption, which took place at the PAP precincts in Midrand, represents a defining step toward safeguarding Africa’s most vital yet vulnerable resource: its soil. The new Model Law provides a comprehensive legal and policy framework to guide African Union (AU) Member States in developing or strengthening national legislation and policies that ensure the sustainable use, protection, and restoration of soils across the continent.

Protecting Africa’s Most Valuable Asset

Chairing the session on behalf of PAP President H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, Fourth Vice-President Hon. Djidda Mamar Mahamat hailed the adoption as a “groundbreaking step toward securing Africa’s agricultural and ecological future.” He commended the Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment (REANRE) for its leadership and urged all AU Member States to domesticate the law within their national frameworks.

“Our soil is Africa’s most valuable asset,” Hon. Mahamat said. “We must protect it for our people and for generations to come, ensuring that our soils remain fertile, productive, and sustainable in line with the goals of Agenda 2063.”

An African-Led Legislative Blueprint

Presenting the report, Hon. Garry Sakata, Chairperson of the REANRE Committee, described the Model Law as “the outcome of a truly African process, shaped by years of research, consultation, and stakeholder engagement.” He emphasized that the law integrates scientific and indigenous knowledge systems, promotes gender equality, and upholds transparency and accountability.

“This law represents years of shared knowledge by African experts, communities, and policymakers working together to protect our soils, the foundation of Africa’s prosperity,” Hon. Sakata said.

Developed by a team of African experts led by Dr. Harald Ginzky of the German Environment Agency and Prof. Oliver Ruppel of Stellenbosch University, the Model Law provides a continental framework for soil governance. The drafting team worked closely with PAP’s Agriculture Committee to ensure the text reflects African realities while aligning with international best practices.

Grounded in detailed country studies from eleven African states, the law identifies strengths, gaps, and opportunities for harmonization of soil governance across the continent. It establishes guiding principles of accountability, precaution, participation, and subsidiarity ensuring decisions are taken at the most effective local level.

Innovations in Soil Governance

Among its pioneering features, the Model Law introduces the “Soil Impact Assessment (SIA)”, a mandatory regulatory tool requiring that soil health be evaluated before approving major agricultural, industrial, or infrastructural projects. It also mandates zoning, soil data systems, rehabilitation programmes, and public participation in all soil-related decision-making.

Dr. Ginzky noted that the law “strikes a balance between economic growth and environmental protection,” ensuring that sustainable soil management becomes a shared responsibility among governments, communities, and the private sector.

“This law ensures that soil is not an afterthought in development planning but a central factor for sustainability and resilience,” he said. “It provides practical mechanisms for governments to integrate soil protection into national and regional policies.”

Decolonising Africa’s Soils

Building on this foundation, Prof. Oliver Ruppel described the Model Law as “a modern, forward-looking framework that helps decolonize Africa’s soils” by empowering nations to govern their natural resources through African-led, science-based approaches.

“This is a law written by Africans, for Africa, rooted in science and guided by justice,” Prof. Ruppel said. “It will strengthen resilience against climate change, improve livelihoods, and promote the responsible use of one of our most vital natural assets.”

A Comprehensive Framework for Sustainable Development

The Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management in Africa covers all dimensions of soil governance, including:

·       Sustainable agriculture and food security (Article 9);

·       Climate mitigation and adaptation (Article 10);

·       Soil use regulation and planning (Articles 13–19);

·       Data management, digitalisation, and innovation (Articles 20–22);

·       Public participation, indigenous knowledge, and gender equity (Articles 24–28); and

·       Rehabilitation, enforcement, and dispute settlement mechanisms (Articles 29–36).

It is grounded in Africa’s legal traditions and inspired by the Soil Initiative for Africa (2020), the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan (2023–2033), and the Nairobi Declaration on Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health (2024), key policy frameworks that promote soil health, food systems resilience, and environmental sustainability.

Voices from the Plenary

During deliberations, PAP Members praised the Committee and experts for their visionary work, affirming that the Model Law would assist national parliaments in strengthening legislative frameworks, harmonising soil governance, and enhancing agricultural productivity and climate resilience.

Several Members highlighted the law’s inclusive and participatory approach, which bridges traditional practices with modern policy through the recognition of indigenous knowledge, gender equity, and community participation.

With Africa hosting 65 percent of the world’s remaining arable land, Members urged governments to lead globally on soil protection to secure both Africa’s and the world’s food future.

Why It Matters

The adoption of the Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management affirms the Pan-African Parliament’s legislative leadership under Article 11 of its Protocol empowering it to harmonize and coordinate laws across Member States.

By providing a continental template for sustainable soil governance, the law strengthens Africa’s ability to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) under the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063’s Aspiration 1 for “a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.”

In summary, the Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management in Africa represents a bold, forward-looking framework to protect one of Africa’s most critical natural resources, ensuring that the continent’s soils remain healthy, productive, and resilient for generations to come.

“Healthy soil means a healthy Africa,” concluded Hon. Sakata. “This law gives us the tools to make that vision a reality.”