Development banks pledge to strengthen global fertilizer supply chains

Multilateral development banks and international financial institutions have pledged to strengthen global fertilizer supply chains to improve food security. In a joint statement issued on 1 September 2026, these institutions noted that repeated global shocks have exposed structural weaknesses in supply chains, disproportionately affecting smallholder farmers and low-income households.

The proposed coordinated roadmap includes increased financing for the production, processing, blending, storage, and transport of fertilizers. The institutions also aim to promote efficient fertilizer use through soil diagnostics, precision nutrient management, digital agriculture, and improved farmer advisory services.

At the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Dr. Jonathan Atkinson, Managing Director of Solidaridad Southern Africa, emphasized the need for the continent to move toward greater self-reliance. He argued that African countries should strengthen their capacity to produce fertilizer using locally available raw materials to build resilience against international market disruptions and crises originating outside the continent's control.