E-Phytosanitary System Crucial to Comply Int'l Market

Addis Ababa, October 30, 2025 (ENA) – The e-Phytosanitary system was launched today as a practical solution to the manual certificate process which causes delay in export clearance and increase trade processing costs,  Director General of Ethiopian Agriculture Authority, Ambassador Deriba Kuma said.

Ambassador Kuma made the remark during a two-day second regional phytosanitary conference which kicked off in Addis Ababa today.

The conference was co-organized by the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association and other partners.

The Director General stressed the necessity of the digital system as the sanitary and phytosanitary compliances are critical to access products international markets.

The digital system will also reduce costs linked to lost certificate, forgery, corruption and the need for physical travel.

The electronic Phytosanitary system ensures safe trade, resilient agriculture and healthy plants by enhancing consumer trust, improve market assets and eliminate product disparity as well as sustainable development, food security and global economy cooperation, it was learent.

It was indicated that the e-Phyto system will reduce the processing time from 2-3 days to just few hours.

The e-Phyto system has integrated in 188 countries and Ethiopia's launch of e-Phytosanitary will drive the country's agriculture system.

Executive Director of the Ethiopian Horticulture Exporters and Producers Association (EHPEA) Tewodros Zewdie, also emphasized on the need to digitalize and modernize the sanitary and Phytosanitary system as part of  complying to standards of the global market and support Ethiopia's effort to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Acting Head of Cooperation at EU Delegation in Ethiopia Beatricia Neri on her part said that digital transformation is crucial in today’s world, describing the e-Phyto system and other systems as significant milestone in the advancement of Ethiopian agriculture sector, fostering continental and global economic collaborations.

 

The system supports Ethiopia’s trade facilitation objectives in African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), it was learnt.