В Кении прошел региональный тренинг по санитарно-фитосанитарным мерам для укрепления продовольственной безопасности в Африке

July 16, 2026 (Nairobi, Kenya): IGAD, through the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, convened a regional training on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures to strengthen the capacity of Member States to implement harmonised food safety and agricultural trade standards. The initiative supports safer cross-border trade, improved market access, and greater regional integration under the AfCFTA. Delivering the welcome remarks on behalf of the Director of the Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration Division (ECRID), Mr. Ismail Garo, Trade and Market Expert under the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to strengthening resilient SPS systems that safeguard public health, enhance food security, and create new opportunities for regional trade. The opening remarks of the training were delivered by Prof. M. Mutui, Managing Director of KEPHIS, on behalf of the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Agriculture, who highlighted the importance of strengthening technical capacities and regional collaboration to advance safe and sustainable agricultural trade. Highlighting the importance of stronger SPS systems, Dr. Diana Akullo Ogwal, on behalf of Mr. Mohamed Ali, Director of Trade in Goods and Competition at the AfCFTA Secretariat, underscored the need for coordinated efforts to ensure African countries can trade safely and competitively, noting: “Effective SPS systems are essential for unlocking the full potential of the AfCFTA by enabling safe trade, protecting consumers, and supporting producers to access wider markets across the continent.” The visit provided an opportunity for experts from IGAD Member States to gain insights into laboratory systems, quality assurance processes, and best practices that support effective SPS implementation, food safety, and agricultural trade facilitation. The training brings together technical experts from IGAD Member States to enhance practical knowledge of SPS standards, strengthen compliance with international requirements, improve coordination among national institutions, and promote regional harmonisation. These efforts are critical to reducing trade barriers and enabling the region to fully harness the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area. Through strategic partnerships and targeted capacity building, IGAD continues to empower its Member States with the tools and expertise needed to strengthen agricultural value chains, facilitate safe trade, and build more resilient food systems across the region.