The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has taken a significant step towards modernizing its plant health systems by strengthening the capacity of its Member States to adopt the International Plant Protection Convention’s (IPPC) Generic ePhyto National System (GeNS). This follows a week-long EU-funded training workshop under the Support Towards the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II) Project, held in Johannesburg. The initiative equips plant health officials with the knowledge and tools to implement the ePhyto system, which replaces paper-based phytosanitary certificates with secure electronic versions.
The transition to digital phytosanitary certification marks an important milestone in harmonizing trade across the region. Traditionally, paper certificates slowed trade, increased administrative costs, and created vulnerabilities to fraud. By contrast, the ePhyto system allows countries to electronically issue, send, and receive certificates, ensuring smoother, faster, and more reliable trade in plants and plant products. This transformation is expected to lower trade barriers, improve market access, and enhance competitiveness while strengthening compliance with international standards.
Speaking at the event, STOSAR Project Coordinator Elma Zanamwe praised the commitment of participating countries, highlighting how the adoption of ePhyto reflects technical readiness and a shared vision for eco-friendly and secure trade facilitation. SADC Secretariat Plant Health Officer Esaiah Tjelele further emphasized that the system will help modernize plant health certification and create a harmonized environment for intra- and extra-regional trade.
During the training, participants engaged in practical exercises such as setting up the GeNS platform for their national plant protection organizations, simulating real transactions, and drafting country-specific action plans for full-scale implementation. These exercises are expected to reduce border delays, minimize pest risks, and cut costs for exporters while ensuring that Member States remain aligned with global trade requirements.
The workshop also created a platform for knowledge exchange and regional collaboration, fostering a community of practice that will support the long-term use of the ePhyto system. With these enhanced capacities, SADC countries are now better positioned to safeguard plant health, facilitate efficient trade, and move closer to a harmonized regional trading system.
