SENIOR government officials, investors, fertiliser trade experts and stakeholders from across Africa and elsewhere are set to convene in Dar es Salaam for a high-level discussion on strengthening fertiliser markets and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Joel Laurent, the Tanzania Fertiliser Regulatory Authority (TFRA) chief executive officer, said in a statement at the weekend that the three-day Argus Fertiliser Africa Conference 2026 starts tomorrow.

It is expected to attract top leaders and technical experts to deliberate on long-term strategies to enhance fertiliser availability and agricultural productivity over the next five to ten years, serving as a platform for dialogue on investment opportunities.

Experts will also examine supply chain challenges and sustainable practices in the fertiliser sector, with a view toward boosting local and continental agricultural output, it said, pointing at keen discussion on market trends and the strategic role of fertilisers in increasing crop productivity.

Daniel Chongolo, the Agriculture minister, is expected to officiate at the opening session, taking participants over an outline of government’s priorities in the agricultural sector and the critical role of fertilisers in improving yields and ensuring food security.

Discussions will cover multiple critical areas, including fertiliser trade structure in Tanzania and investment opportunities, accessibility and affordability of fertilisers for smallholder farmers across Africa. Free market fertiliser trade and opportunities to increase regional production will be examined, he stated.

Organic fertiliser production and initiatives to promote eco-friendly agricultural inputs will be taken up, in tandem with financing and investment models to support long-term market growth, he further noted.

Participants will also address transportation and distribution challenges, identifying bottlenecks in the fertiliser value chain and propose strategies to strengthen supply networks across the continent.

The conference comes against the backdrop of Tanzania’s ongoing efforts to modernise its agricultural sector through technology adoption and improved input use, including enhanced guidance on proper fertiliser application to boost productivity, the regulator noted.

The fertiliser subsidy programme launched during fiscal 2021/2022 make fertilisers more affordable for farmers will be reviewed, within a wider affirmation that the programme has helped increase the production of food and commercial crops, reinforcing the government’s commitment to agricultural growth and food security, he declared.

 “Participants will explore ways to increase Africa’s self-reliance in fertiliser production and ensure that farmers across the continent have access to the inputs they need to achieve higher yields,” he stated.

The forum is also expected to foster cross-border collaborations, enabling investors and technical experts to design strategies that address local and regional challenges, from market inefficiencies to logistics and financing gaps, he said.

The role of private sector investment in the fertiliser industry, particularly in local manufacturing and distribution will be examined to reduce dependence on imports and stabilize market prices, he said.

Experts attending the conference will share best practices on value addition, supply chain efficiency and sustainable fertiliser use, while policymakers will outline regulations and incentives to attract private investment.

The Argus Fertiliser Africa Conference 2026 is intended to create a roadmap for sustainable, climate-smart agricultural practices ensuring that fertiliser use not only enhances productivity but also protects the environment, he added.