Zambia is Africa’s largest seed exporter and has strong potential to further expand and diversify its trade. To realize this potential, the country needs to overcome important SPS compliance challenges that affect seed safety, quality, and market access. For instance, aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut seeds remains a concern, with some districts recording contamination in up to 68% of groundnut samples. This not only creates risks for health and trade but also undermines confidence in Zambian seeds. Other issues include the circulation of counterfeit seeds, pest outbreaks such as Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN), and gaps in SPS infrastructure, including storage and handling during transit. Greater harmonization of pest lists and mutual recognition of laboratory test results would also facilitate trust and smoother cross-border trade.
The PPG aims to prepare a project proposal that addresses these SPS challenges in Zambia’s seed sector. It will assess and prioritize potential areas of intervention, including aflatoxin risk management, phytosanitary inspection and certification, laboratory accreditation, and improved post-harvest handling. The resulting proposal will be closely aligned with international SPS standards and is expected to strengthen SPS capacities across public and private stakeholders, while reinforcing Zambia’s position as a trusted regional seed supplier.