With current deficiencies in knowledge on soils of Ethiopia, the review is intended to point out the most significant aspect of the subject in relation to the productivity of the agricultural sector. With this background, it provides an introduction to the literature; with no attempt to include all available publications on the mineralogy, chemistry and ion exchange properties of Ethiopian soils. While the complementarity of such knowledge vis-a-vis the management of both macro- and micronutrients is recognized; the paucity of information on the latter has only allowed their cursory treatment with focus on the former. Since sound nutrient management and water-use efficiency are highly interactive, the sound management of soil water in a scenario of rampant soil degradation is recognized as the key-link. In our quest for improvement in the quality of life, their synergetic maximized utilization becomes a prerequisite and is underlined. Information in this area, however, is scant. Therefore, the urgency of a more focused research on soil-plant-water relations is underscored to close the glaring gap.