Digital Trade & E-Certification for Agroecological Products – Tools for Market Access, Traceability & Inclusion

• Digital trade platforms reduce border delays, cut costs, and open regional and international markets.
• E-certification (electronic sanitary/phytosanitary and origin certificates) avoids fraud and speeds clearance.
• The EAC Agroecological Produce Trade Knowledge Hub (EAC-ATKH) is being developed as a one-stop platform for market data, trade rules, and compliance tools.
• Even if digital access is limited, there are low-tech workarounds: SMS alerts, WhatsApp groups, QR codes on packaging, and basic batch records.

A. EAC Agroecological Produce Trade Knowledge Hub (EAC-ATKH)

• Purpose: Digital gateway for agroecological traders in East Africa to access trade rules, price dashboards, SPS/TBT guidance, and NTB reporting.
• Core Features (planned for launch by AFSA & trapca):
  • HS Code look-up and STR eligibility lists.
  • SPS & TBT compliance guides (simple checklists).
  • Real-time market price & demand dashboards.
  • NTB reporting links and focal contact details.
  • Trader community forums (WhatsApp/Telegram integration).
• Access: Mobile-responsive, offline PDF downloads, multi-language (English, Kiswahili, French).
• 🔗 Updates: https://afsafrica.org (AFSA will post launch info).

B. E-Certification Platforms

• Electronic Phytosanitary Certificates (e-Phyto)
  • Based on the IPPC ePhyto Solution: https://www.ephytoexchange.org
  • Some EAC states (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) now issue electronic SPS certificates.
  • Request via:
    • KEPHIS Kenya: https://kephis.org/services/phytosanitary-services
    • Tanzania Plant Health TPRI: https://www.tpri.go.tz
    • Uganda MAAIF ePhyto: https://www.agriculture.go.ug/
• Electronic Certificates of Origin (e-CoO)
  • EAC Partner States are rolling out e-CoO to reduce fraud.
  • Platforms:
    • Kenya TradeNet: https://www.kentrade.go.ke
    • Tanzania TANCIS: https://www.tra.go.tz
    • Uganda URA eServices: https://ura.go.ug
• AfCFTA e-Tariff & Document Portal
  • Trade documents & tariff schedules: https://trade.africa

C. Mobile Trade & Market Tools

• Batch Records:
  • Simple logbook: field ID, planting/harvest date, treatments, buyer.
  • Digital option: Google Sheets offline or SMS logs.
• Labels & QR Codes:
  • Create free QR codes: https://www.qr-code-generator.com
  • Link to a Google Drive/Dropbox file with production details.
• Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS):
  • Affordable local organic verification.
  • Info: https://www.ifoam.bio/pgs
• WhatsApp for Documentation:
  • Take photos of harvest, certification, and invoices for quick proof at the border.
• USB or SD-card Offline Kits:
  • Share EAC-ATKH PDFs for areas with no internet.

Before Export

1. Check digital options:
   • E-Phyto availability → National Plant Health Agency.
   • E-CoO → customs/trade portal.
2. Create digital copies: Scan and store on phone/USB.
3. Register for portals:
   • Kenya TradeNet, Tanzania TANCIS, Uganda URA.
4. Prepare QR code label: Batch ID + farmer group name.
5. Save NTB contacts: https://www.tradebarriers.org.

At the Border

• Present QR code or printed docs.
• Ask if e-Phyto or e-CoO can be validated electronically.
• Use the phone to show official STR/NTB guidelines if challenged.

After Crossing

• Keep digital proof for follow-up (NTB reporting, buyer traceability).

• Keep copies in cloud + USB, + phone.
• Use strong PINs for e-cert portals.
• Share access only with trusted cooperative leaders.
• Update contacts & portals regularly.

• Traders should push for full e-cert adoption to reduce paper fraud & border corruption.
• Use data from EAC-ATKH to demand:
  • Recognition of agroecological HS codes.
  • Simplified digital compliance for small consignments.

Join AfCFTA Women & Youth in Trade: https://au.int/en/ti/cfta/about

Kenya–Uganda Beans Exporters (Busia Border)

A cooperative adopted e-Phyto + QR-coded batch labels.

• Border clearance dropped from 48 hrs → 12 hrs.
• Fraudulent SPS certificate charges ended.
• Digital records are used to negotiate better prices with supermarkets in Nairobi and Kampala.

• EAC Agroecological Produce Trade Knowledge Hub (EAC-ATKH): (launch info) https://afsafrica.org
• EAC STR Info: https://www.eac.int/customs/simplified-trade-regime
• IPPC ePhyto Solution: https://www.ephytoexchange.org
• KEPHIS ePhyto Kenya: https://kephis.org/services/phytosanitary-services
• Tanzania TPRI Phytosanitary: https://www.tpri.go.tz
• Uganda MAAIF Plant Health: https://www.agriculture.go.ug/
• Kenya TradeNet: https://www.kentrade.go.ke
• Tanzania TANCIS: https://www.tra.go.tz
• Uganda URA eServices: https://ura.go.ug
• AfCFTA Trade Portal: https://trade.africa
• NTB Reporting: https://www.tradebarriers.org
• GS1 Barcoding & Traceability: https://www.gs1.org
• PGS (Participatory Guarantee Systems): https://www.ifoam.bio/pgs

📦 Suggested Design & Delivery

• Length: 8–10 pages; include screenshots of portals (ePhyto, NTB, TradeNet).
• Format: Mobile-friendly + printable.
• Interactive: QR codes to each platform; step-by-step infographic flow for e-cert use.
• Languages: English & Kiswahili.
• Use: Pre-training digital demo + post-training quick reference.