SADC Boosts Digital Plant Health Certification with ePhyto Training Under EU Project

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States have taken a major step towards modernizing plant health systems and improving cross-border trade by strengthening their capacity to implement the International Plant Protection Convention’s (IPPC) Generic ePhyto National System (GeNS).

This follows an intensive week-long training workshop held in Johannesburg under the European Union (EU)-funded Support Towards the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II) Project. The training equipped national plant health officials with practical knowledge, digital tools, and tailored country action plans to roll out the ePhyto platform—a global electronic system for issuing and receiving phytosanitary certificates.

Transition to Digital Phytosanitary Certification

Phytosanitary certificates are critical in international trade, as they verify that plants and plant products are free from pests and diseases before crossing borders. For decades, these certificates were paper-based, a system that was often slow, vulnerable to fraud, and prone to administrative errors. Paper documentation also created bottlenecks at border posts, leading to costly delays for exporters and reduced competitiveness for agricultural producers in the region.

The IPPC’s ePhyto Solution, particularly its GeNS platform, replaces the manual system with a secure, paperless alternative. Through the platform, countries can electronically produce, send, and receive phytosanitary certificates in real-time, aligning national practices with international standards while minimizing risks of fraud and errors.

Strong Institutional Commitment

Speaking at the event, STOSAR Project Coordinator Elma Zanamwe praised the participating countries for embracing digital transformation in plant health regulation.

“The move towards digital transformation of plant health certification through ePhyto will not only foster regional collaboration but is also a reflection of technical readiness and a shared commitment to secure, efficient, and eco-friendly trade facilitation. The EU-funded STOSAR II Project is proud to support SADC countries in taking this important step,” she remarked.

Her comments echoed the broader vision of the STOSAR II Project, which aims to strengthen agricultural trade, enhance food security, and promote regional integration through harmonized policies and systems.

Practical Outcomes of the Training

During the workshop, plant health officials from across the region engaged in hands-on exercises, including:

• Setting up and configuring the ePhyto GeNS platform for their respective National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs).

• Simulating real-time transactions of electronic phytosanitary certificates to understand the end-to-end certification process.

• Drafting national action plans tailored to each country’s specific needs, ensuring readiness for full-scale implementation.

According to Esaiah Tjelele, SADC Secretariat Plant Health Officer, the initiative marks a turning point in agricultural trade facilitation:

“This training is a step towards modernising our plant health systems and enabling smooth trade within and beyond the region. By building the technical capacity of Member States to implement ePhyto, we are contributing to a harmonised and efficient trading environment.”

Benefits for Regional and Global Trade

The adoption of ePhyto is expected to yield multiple benefits for SADC Member States, including:

• Faster Trade Processes: Reduced delays at borders by eliminating paperwork.

• Lower Administrative Costs: Streamlined certification processes for exporters and authorities.

• Stronger Pest Control: Improved monitoring and prevention of pest introduction through robust electronic traceability.

• Market Expansion: Compliance with international trade standards, opening access to new export markets.

• Eco-Friendly Approach: Reduction in paper usage, contributing to sustainability goals.

Moreover, the workshop provided a vital platform for knowledge-sharing and regional cooperation, fostering a community of practice that will support long-term adoption and expansion of ePhyto across the region.

Looking Ahead

With strengthened national capacities, updated tools, and committed technical personnel, SADC Member States are now better positioned to promote safe, sustainable, and efficient agricultural trade. The successful adoption of the ePhyto system will not only secure plant health across borders but also serve as a cornerstone for deeper economic integration and competitiveness of the region’s agricultural exports.

By harmonizing plant health certification processes, SADC countries are signalling their readiness to embrace digital trade solutions and set an example for other regional blocs in Africa and beyond.