Africa turns digital to protect crops and boost exports

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reports that African governments and international partners are expanding the Africa Phytosanitary Programme, a digital plant-health surveillance initiative, to 38 countries. The third phase was launched on July 6 in Addis Ababa by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Plant Protection Convention and regional partners. It follows earlier implementation in 2023 and 2025 that trained officials from 20 African countries.

According to the report, the latest training brought together about 100 phytosanitary specialists from 18 newly participating countries, as well as officials from earlier participants including Uganda, Egypt, Mali and South Africa. Participants were introduced to digital surveillance tools, geospatial systems and standardized pest monitoring methods, and received tablet computers fitted with applications for field inspection and data collection. The programme uses a train-the-trainer model so national experts can pass skills to plant protection agencies at home.

The initiative is intended to help countries detect and respond to crop pests more quickly, protect food supplies and meet plant-health standards required in export markets. The Independent cited industry estimates that roughly 30% of Africa’s agricultural exports are rejected over phytosanitary compliance failures, a barrier to farmers and exporters seeking higher-value markets. The report also noted that climate change, trade and the movement of people and goods are increasing the risk of pests spreading across borders.

Programme partners said stronger surveillance could support both domestic crop protection and market access. The initiative is financed by the European Union and the United Kingdom, with earlier pilot backing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The report frames the next challenge as turning digital training into durable institutions, enforcement and rapid response capacity.