Soils, human wellbeing, and equity in Africa as a goal for sustainable development

Abstract

This review examines the significance of soils in promoting human wellbeing and equity in Africa for sustainable development. Through analysis of 139 articles, the study explores connections between soil health, human welfare, and equitable development across the continent. The findings underscore the importance of soil preservation and sustainable management in enhancing food security, ecosystem resilience, climate regulation, and quality of life. The review elucidates the role of soils from environmental, social, and economic perspectives, highlighting their contributions to plant development, water regulation, and vital ecosystem functions. African soils play a crucial role in sustainable development, particularly in agriculture, water management, biodiversity conservation, cultural activities, and tourism. Key findings reveal a strong linkage between soil health and human wellbeing, with improved soil management contributing to enhanced nutrition, increased income, and better quality of life for rural communities. Conservation agriculture can increase crop yields by 20–30% and household incomes by up to 50% in some regions. Climate-smart practices, such as conservation agriculture and agroforestry, show significant potential for increasing soil carbon sequestration, enhancing water retention, and improving crop resilience to climate change. Agroforestry systems in sub-Saharan Africa can increase soil organic carbon by 27–50% compared to conventional agriculture. Soil microbial diversity plays a vital role in maintaining soil health and ecosystem services, with diverse microbial communities enhancing nutrient availability by up to 50% and increasing crop yields by 10–25%. Gender-responsive soil management interventions lead to more equitable outcomes, with studies reporting a 20–30% increase in agricultural productivity when women have equal access to resources and training. Integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific approaches has led to a 40–60% increase in the adoption of sustainable soil management strategies in some regions. These figures represent ranges from individual studies and should not be interpreted as pooled meta-analytic estimates. Across sub-Saharan Africa, where agriculture remains the primary livelihood for approximately 55–60% of the workforce, soil degradation poses a significant threat to food security, perpetuates poverty, and exacerbates inequality. The review concludes by calling for sustainable soil management practices, protecting soil ecosystems, and empowering local communities to harness the potential of African soils for a prosperous and equitable future aligned with sustainable development goals.