The African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) Project was officially launched today at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, during an event that brought together African and European partners, policymakers, scientists, and development stakeholders.
Taking place from October 6 to 8, 2025, the launch and inception meeting mark the beginning of a five-year Horizon Europe Innovation Action dedicated to generating robust, harmonized soil data to enhance soil health management and sustainable land use across the African continent.
The official launch ceremony was jointly led by representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture (Kenya), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC), and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), with participation from AFAAS, CORAF, FAO, and the European Commission. This joint effort reflects the co-development and continental collaboration underpinning the AUSO initiative.
Funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe (Grant Agreement No. 101218840) and coordinated by FARA, AUSO seeks to establish a continental soil observatory made up of the African Soil Data Centre (ASDAC) and an interactive Soil Health Dashboard. The platform will facilitate continuous soil health monitoring, support evidence-based policymaking, and guide targeted land management interventions across Africa.
Representing the Government of Kenya, Dr. Paul Kipronoh Ronoh, CBS, Principal Secretary at the State Department of Agriculture, stood in for Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, who was unable to attend the event.
Speakers at the launch included representatives from the African Union Commission, European Commission, EU Soil Mission Cluster, FARA, KALRO, ISRIC, and other key partners.
In his remarks, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, highlighted the centrality of soil health to Africa’s development:
“Healthy soils are the foundation of food security, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. Through AUSO, we are building a collaborative, data-driven system that will empower African countries to design and implement effective soil health strategies.”
Dr. David Kamau, Director of Environment and Natural Resources at KALRO, underscored the pivotal role of Kenyan institutions in fostering innovation and co-creation of soil data solutions tailored to Africa’s needs.
The AUSO consortium brings together 21 African and European partners, including national agricultural research systems, universities, international research centres, and advisory bodies. The project will be implemented in 12 focus countries — Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Morocco — with broader engagement planned across the continent.
The three-day inception meeting features the official launch, Work Package presentations, technical planning sessions, and the inaugural Project Advisory Committee meeting. These sessions are designed to ensure a shared understanding of project goals, governance structures, and deliverables, while establishing a clear roadmap for coordinated implementation.
The African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) is a flagship initiative of the African Union, coordinated by FARA and supported by a consortium of African and European partners. The five-year project, which runs from July 2025 to June 2030, has a total budget of €7.7 million and seeks to provide actionable soil data to support sustainable land management and agricultural transformation across Africa.
Source: faraafrica.org
