Ethiopia has launched a new electronic phytosanitary certification platform aimed at improving export compliance and traceability across its horticultural sector. The Integrated Export and Import Certification System (IEICS) – e-Phyto Project, funded by the European Union and TradeMark Africa, was introduced this week in Addis Ababa.
The digital system is expected to reduce certification processing times from several days to just a few hours while introducing internal traceability throughout the export process. It also aims to eliminate costs associated with lost or forged certificates, corruption, and physical document transfers. The platform will be rolled out nationwide within a month.
The Ethiopian horticulture industry, particularly the flower sector, has faced tighter inspections in recent years following concerns over the False Coddling Moth (FCM), a pest classified by the European Union as a quarantine risk. Exporters have often cited compliance procedures as a bottleneck in maintaining consistent access to key markets.
Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), said phytosanitary compliance remains central to export reliability as volumes expand. He referred to the former paper-based process as a bureaucratic hurdle. "A digital system saves both time and resources for the private sector," Tewodros told Shega. He added that scaling up the ePhyto system will allow Ethiopia to fully leverage its agroecological potential.
Ethiopia's horticultural exports reached US$564.9 million in the 2024/25 fiscal year, with more than half of total flower exports destined for European markets. TradeMark Africa previously signed an agreement with the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) to support the system's development with about US$157,000 (9 million Birr).
According to EAA Director General Driba Kuma, maintaining alignment with international phytosanitary protocols is essential for market access. "Challenges posed by cross-border pests are becoming an imminent risk," he said. "Stringent biosecurity procedures are essential," Driba added that international collaboration in technical assistance, data exchange, and standard-setting remains key to mitigating biosafety threats.
The e-Phyto platform was presented at the Sheraton Addis during an event organized by EHPEA. The initiative aligns with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and reinforces Ethiopia's adherence to global biosecurity procedures.
EAA Deputy Director Wondale Habtamu (PhD) noted that Ethiopia has been a member of the IPPC since 1971, adhering to biosafety measures adopted by 188 countries. "Our exports can obtain international credibility regarding safety," he said. Wondale added that the system also provides safeguards against pest adaptation in trade flows, referring to the FCM case. While the insect poses minimal threat in Ethiopia, it can damage over 100 plant species under European conditions.
Source: Shega
