Border delays, inconsistent regulations, and costly paper-based systems continue to hamper the movement of seed across Africa, raising concerns about efficiency, competitiveness, and food security.
Speaking at the African Seed Trade Association Congress (AFSTA) in Cape Town, Western Cape, this week, Kennedy Mangwana, technical manager at the AFSTA, outlined a range of persistent bottlenecks affecting seed trade on the continent.
He said differences in national and regional pest and disease quarantine lists, along with policies that are not aligned with international standards, continue to complicate cross-border seed trade. These challenges are compounded by limited technical capacity, including a shortage of laboratories and skilled personnel at border points.
As a result, sanitary and phytosanitary checks can take between three to seven days, and while these delays are necessary for safe trade, they significantly slow the movement of seed.
Costs further add to the burden. Mangwana explained that printing and couriering phytosanitary certificates can range from US$50 (about R850) to US$200 (R3 400) per document, while relying on paper-based systems introduces additional risks. Globally, an estimated 15% of these certificates are forged, and documentation can easily be lost or contain errors.
Complex systems, high stakes
Expanding on these challenges, Dr Rose Souza Richards, director of phytosanitary affairs at the International Seed Federation, said phytosanitary systems require a careful balance between protecting plant health and enabling trade.
“Seed movement is not only about managing pest risks. It is about ensuring that regulations protect plant health without creating avoidable friction,” she said.
She explained that seed consignments, particularly vegetable seeds, are small, high-value shipments that must move within narrow planting windows. Yet exporters must navigate a patchwork of differing import requirements, testing protocols, and documentation rules across countries.
When requirements are unclear or change rapidly, the consequences can include delays, re-testing, rerouting, and even missed planting seasons.
“Missing a season can ultimately lead to food insecurity,” she warned.
Friction across the system
According to Richards, inefficiencies rarely stem from a single issue but rather from a combination of factors. These include poor visibility of import requirements, frequent regulatory changes, differences in sampling and testing methods, and inconsistent implementation at border points.
In some countries, the situation is further complicated by fragmented regulatory systems, where phytosanitary and seed-related functions are handled by different institutions requiring separate permits.
While restructuring these systems is not always feasible, Richards said improving transparency and communication could go a long way towards reducing delays.
Digitalisation gaining ground
Both speakers pointed to electronic phytosanitary certification (ePhyto) as key to overcoming many of these challenges.
Replacing paper-based documentation with digital systems can significantly reduce delays, lower costs, and improve traceability. In some cases, border clearance times have been reduced by as much as 90%, with shipments that previously took several days now processed in fewer than 24 hours, according to Mangwana.
He noted that countries that have adopted ePhyto are also seeing financial benefits, including saving millions of dollars in logistics, as well as improved competitiveness in export markets. Digital systems further reduce the risk of fraud and eliminate the need for physical document handling.
“Paper certificates are equivalent to costly delays and sometimes significant losses,” he said.
Proven gains in Africa
According to Mangwana, early adopters of ePhyto on the continent are already seeing measurable results. Kenya, for example, has significantly increased exports to key markets and reduced administrative costs, while Ghana has shortened processing times through integration with the International Plant Protection Convention system.
Senegal has achieved both time and cost savings while supporting small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, and Morocco now processes most of its agricultural exports digitally, cutting processing times and costs.
Collaboration is still key
Richards stressed that while digitalisation is critical, it must be supported by stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector.
Regional initiatives led by organisations such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the Southern African Development Community are already working towards greater harmonisation, but more needs to be done to align systems and build trust.
“We all want the same thing,” she said. “We want to protect plant health while ensuring that quality seed moves efficiently.”
A more efficient future
With climate change expected to increase pest pressures and disrupt production, it is becoming increasingly urgent to improve phytosanitary systems.
Richards said Africa already has the frameworks and momentum needed to improve seed movement across borders, but better coordination, greater transparency, and wider adoption of digital tools will be essential.
“The goal is clear: seeds must move faster, more predictably, and with fewer unnecessary barriers,” she said.
