Africa’s seed trade gains momentum through regional integration

Regional seed integration became more operational as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) advanced mechanisms to reduce regulatory fragmentation. COMESA launched its Seed Information System and regional certification labels, bringing variety information and regulatory processes into a shared platform across 21 member states. The initiative aims to improve traceability, align rules and make certified seed easier to trade across borders. In September, IGAD member states endorsed a Regional Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework alongside a 2026-2035 agrifood investment plan, supporting aligned standards and cross-border seed movement. At the Africa Seed Summit in October, the African Union supported this direction, calling for harmonised regulations, mutual recognition of standards and more efficient cross-border seed trade. The shift towards practical regional systems could reduce duplication for breeders and seed companies. Regional scale will still depend on national implementation, but businesses that map certification, registration and distribution across regional blocs will be better positioned as common seed systems mature.