- Africa has taken a historic step toward sustainable development, food security, and environmental protection with the adoption of the continent’s first Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management by the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) during the Sixth Ordinary Session of its Sixth Legislature.
The new framework — officially titled the Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management in Africa — offers African Union Member States a comprehensive legal blueprint to protect soil health, enhance climate resilience, and promote sustainable agriculture. The milestone comes as the continent, home to 65% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land, faces mounting challenges from land degradation and climate change.
Developed by a team of African experts, the Model Law was spearheaded by Prof. Oliver Ruppel of the Development and Rule of Law Programme (DROP) at Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with the PAP Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources. The process was supported by several international partners, including the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment, and institutions from Germany and Austria.
Grounded in eleven country studies across Africa, the Model Law provides a detailed framework for Member States to develop or strengthen national legislation governing soil use, restoration, and protection. It integrates key dimensions of soil governance — from sustainable agriculture, data management, and digital innovation to gender equity, indigenous knowledge, and public participation.
Prof. Ruppel hailed the adoption as “a modern, forward-looking framework that helps decolonise Africa’s soils” by empowering nations to manage 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,” Ruppel said. “It will strengthen resilience against climate change, improve livelihoods, and promote the responsible use of one of our most vital natural assets.”
The Model Law also establishes mechanisms for rehabilitation, enforcement, and dispute resolution, while serving as a platform for regional cooperation, research, and innovation. It aligns closely with global and continental policy frameworks, including 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).
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
