Africa Fertilizer Market Size and Forecast 2025–2033

Africa Fertilizer Market Overview

The Africa Fertilizer Market is projected to grow from USD 13.43 billion in 2024 to USD 22.16 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 5.72% (2025–2033), according to Renub Research. The continent’s fertilizer demand is expanding steadily, driven by increasing food requirements, rapid population growth, and the urgent need to improve soil fertility and crop yields. Fertilizers—particularly nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)—remain crucial to boosting Africa’s agricultural productivity, where poor soil health and nutrient depletion persist as long-term challenges.

In Africa, where agriculture contributes about one-third of GDP and provides employment to over 60% of the population, fertilizers play a vital role in ensuring food security and sustainable production. Farmers rely heavily on fertilizers to replenish nutrient-depleted soils, enabling increased yields for key staples such as maize, rice, cassava, and sorghum. Meanwhile, the growing shift toward biofertilizers and eco-friendly nutrient products reflects Africa’s commitment to sustainability and soil regeneration, balancing productivity with environmental stewardship.

Growth Drivers in the Africa Fertilizer Market

1. Agricultural Modernization and Productivity Push

Africa is transitioning from subsistence to commercialized farming, driving higher fertilizer consumption. Governments and international organizations are investing heavily in mechanization, irrigation expansion, and improved agronomy practices. As farmers adopt high-yield crop varieties and precision farming techniques, demand for balanced nutrient application increases.

Programs such as Nigeria’s agricultural modernization initiative with Egypt (2025) aim to enhance knowledge sharing and attract private-sector investments in input distribution and training. Likewise, the African Union’s Nairobi Declaration on Fertilizer and Soil Health (2024) underscores the continent’s unified strategy to make fertilizers more accessible and affordable, setting ambitious goals for sustainable soil management and fertilizer use efficiency.

These coordinated efforts—spanning subsidies, training, and domestic production—form the foundation for the next phase of Africa’s agricultural transformation.

2. Policy Support, Subsidies, and Local Production Initiatives

Public policy remains pivotal to the market’s growth. Many African nations provide input subsidies, voucher schemes, and fertilizer credit programs to empower smallholder farmers. Governments are also pushing for local fertilizer production to reduce import dependency, stabilize prices, and improve access in remote areas.

The establishment of regional blending and processing facilities, such as those in Nigeria, Morocco, and Ethiopia, has lowered logistics costs and strengthened supply chains. Investment in ports, storage, and transport infrastructure has further reduced price volatility, creating a more predictable market environment.

The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (2024) reaffirmed high-level political will to build resilient fertilizer supply chains. This has encouraged private sector participation in production, blending, and distribution—key to achieving long-term fertilizer self-sufficiency across the continent.

3. Expanding Horticulture, High-Value Crops, and Export-Oriented Farming

The rise of horticulture, floriculture, and fruit & vegetable exports is another strong growth driver. Urbanization and dietary shifts toward fresh produce have spurred demand for specialty fertilizers with controlled nutrient delivery and high solubility—ideal for intensive cultivation systems and greenhouses.

The COMESA–EAC Horticulture Accelerator Programme (CEHA), launched in 2025, supports horticultural sector growth in Rwanda and neighboring countries by providing farmers with training, modern equipment, and access to quality fertilizers. These initiatives align with the growing demand for fertigation-compatible, foliar, and micronutrient fertilizers, especially in export-driven economies.

Challenges in the Africa Fertilizer Market

1. High Logistics Costs, Import Dependence, and Price Volatility

Africa’s fertilizer supply chain faces significant logistical and financial bottlenecks. Over 70% of fertilizers are imported, subjecting the market to volatile global prices and high freight costs. Poor port handling, inadequate inland transport networks, and multiple intermediaries inflate final prices for farmers.

Seasonal demand spikes during planting seasons further strain supply chains, leading to stock shortages and price surges. Smallholders, who operate on tight budgets and limited storage, are disproportionately affected. Exchange rate fluctuations and energy price volatility compound these risks, constraining consistent fertilizer use and discouraging investment in local production.

2. Soil Health Degradation and Knowledge Gaps

Decades of nutrient mining and low organic matter have left vast areas of African farmland degraded. Many farmers lack access to soil testing and advisory services, leading to unbalanced or inappropriate fertilizer application. Overreliance on generic NPK formulations without regard to soil variability often results in suboptimal yields or soil acidification.

To address these issues, stakeholders are emphasizing agronomic education, tailored blends, and private extension services. Bridging this knowledge gap is essential for improving fertilizer efficiency and achieving lasting productivity gains.

Segment Insights: Key Fertilizer Categories in Africa

Africa Phosphate Fertilizer Market

Phosphate fertilizers form a cornerstone of Africa’s crop nutrition systems. With large phosphate rock reserves in countries like Morocco and Egypt, Africa has the potential to become a global hub for phosphatic fertilizer production. Products such as DAP, MAP, and single superphosphate are widely used in cereals and horticulture. However, phosphate fixation in tropical soils and limited access to water-soluble P sources remain challenges. Growing focus on starter phosphorus and balanced fertilization is driving steady demand.

Africa Urea Fertilizer Market

Urea dominates the nitrogen fertilizer segment due to its high nitrogen content and affordability. Widely used in cereals like maize and rice, urea contributes directly to yield improvement. However, most urea is imported, making the market vulnerable to global price cycles. To mitigate nitrogen losses from volatilization, farmers are increasingly adopting split applications and urease inhibitor technologies, which enhance nitrogen use efficiency. Local production facilities—such as those in Nigeria and Egypt—play a vital role in stabilizing supply and pricing.

Africa Potassium Nitrate Fertilizer Market

Potassium nitrate (KNO₃) caters to the high-value crop segment, particularly in horticulture, floriculture, and fruit farming. Its dual nutrient content (K and nitrate-N) and compatibility with drip irrigation systems make it ideal for fertigation. Although its market size is smaller due to higher costs, demand is rising in countries investing in greenhouse and export-oriented agriculture.

Africa Inorganic Fertilizer Market

Inorganic fertilizers dominate Africa’s market share, providing consistent macronutrients at scale. The segment’s growth is driven by domestic blending units, quality regulation, and subsidy-backed affordability. Innovations such as controlled-release coatings, micronutrient-enriched NPKs, and precision blending are expected to redefine the inorganic fertilizer landscape over the next decade.

Africa Liquid Fertilizer Market

Liquid fertilizers are gaining popularity for foliar feeding and fertigation systems, especially in irrigated zones. They offer rapid nutrient absorption and labor savings. However, limited irrigation infrastructure and handling expertise currently restrict wider adoption. As drip irrigation systems expand and agribusinesses scale up production, the liquid fertilizer segment will likely grow rapidly.

Application Insights

1. Agriculture

The bulk of Africa’s fertilizer consumption is tied to staple crops—maize, rice, wheat, and sorghum—reflecting efforts to close yield gaps and ensure food self-sufficiency. The segment benefits from public-private input distribution programs and bundled service models that integrate credit, seeds, and extension support.

2. Horticulture and Vegetables

The vegetable fertilizer market is emerging as one of the continent’s fastest-growing sub-segments, driven by the boom in domestic and export demand for fresh produce. Farmers increasingly invest in customized NPK blends, foliar sprays, and micronutrients to achieve better yields, color, and shelf life—vital for competitiveness in high-value markets.

Country Insights

South Africa

South Africa’s fertilizer market is the most mature in Africa, supported by advanced agronomic practices, strong domestic production, and robust distribution networks. Demand is driven by large-scale cropping systems like maize, sugarcane, and sunflower. Innovation in precision agriculture, nutrient management, and climate-smart fertilizers is expected to sustain growth in this well-developed market.

Nigeria

Nigeria ranks among the largest fertilizer markets in Africa, owing to vast arable land and high demand for food crops. Historically dependent on government-led distribution, the market is now seeing greater private-sector participation in blending and retailing. Investments in quality control, logistics, and digital advisory services are helping to curb inefficiencies and strengthen supply chains.

Competitive Landscape

Key players operating in the Africa Fertilizer Market include:

Foskor

Gavilon South Africa (MacroSource, LLC)

Haifa Group

ICL Group Ltd.

K+S Aktiengesellschaft

Kynoch Fertilizer

UPL Limited

Yara International ASA

These companies are actively involved in capacity expansion, innovation, and partnerships to develop region-specific fertilizer solutions. Yara, for instance, continues to invest in digital advisory platforms and precision nutrition programs for African farmers, while ICL and Haifa Group are enhancing their liquid and specialty fertilizer portfolios for horticulture.

Final Thoughts

The Africa Fertilizer Market is at the heart of the continent’s agricultural transformation agenda. With mounting pressure to feed a projected 1.7 billion people by 2033, the region must boost both the efficiency and sustainability of its fertilizer use. Policy alignment, local production, agronomic education, and private-sector innovation will be key to unlocking Africa’s full agricultural potential.

As biofertilizers, specialty blends, and smart application methods gain traction, Africa’s fertilizer sector is poised to not only drive food security but also anchor the broader green growth and climate resilience agenda across the continent.