From Fragmented Data to Shared Intelligence: A Research Agenda for Soil Information in Africa

Abstract

Africa's soil information landscape is characterized by a paradox: a vast body of historical data coexists with a critical lack of integrated, FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data required to address food security and climate resilience. Fragmented, project-based efforts have led to a landscape of siloed, noninteroperable datasets, hindering scientific progress and evidence-based policymaking. This paper argues that a fundamental shift is needed and proposes a comprehensive research agenda to guide the creation of a sustainable, federated African Soil Information System. The agenda is structured around 10 interconnected pathways that provide a holistic roadmap, moving from problem identification to scalable solutions. Key pathways address the rescue and quality assessment of legacy data; the adaptation of practical data standards; the development of a federated infrastructure that respects national data sovereignty; the cultivation of human and institutional capacity; and the establishment of a long-term governance and stewardship model. By providing a blueprint for collective action, this paper serves as an invitation for stakeholders to unite around a common vision, transforming Africa's soil data from a fragmented archive into a durable, shared intelligence resource for sustainable development.