The African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Congress 2025 has concluded in Kigali, Rwanda
According to AFSTA President Amadou Sarr in a statement on the AFSTA website, the congress included discussions on the state of implementation of the harmonized seed trade policies and regulations by Member States, as well as the Africa Free Trade agreement and its potential impact on the seed industry. We will do this because AFSTA remains relentless in advocating for improvement of the seed trade within Africa, a key mandate for the association.
MoU Signed
On Tuesday, March 4, AFSTA and the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) formalized their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership aims to enhance seed research, training, and testing across Africa. Key areas of cooperation include promoting seed trade, standardizing seed analysis methodologies, and establishing a framework for future collaboration. The MoU does not entail any financial commitments; funding for specific projects will be determined separately. The agreement is valid for three years and may be renewed by mutual consent, with intellectual property rights managed through further agreements.
Bringing Leaders Together
The International Seed Federation (ISF) convened its board meetings in Nairobi, bringing together national, regional and global seed industry leaders to reinforce their commitment to Africa’s agricultural development, especially in the face of climate change and a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
“Africa is on the verge of unlocking the transformative power of quality seeds,” said Arthur Santosh Attavar, President of ISF in a press release on their website. “The private seed sector, represented by ISF, stands ready to support governments, civil society actors, and farmers in the continent in achieving food security, resilience, and economic growth by ensuring that farmers have access to high-quality, climate-resilient seeds.
“This meeting highlighted ISF’s dedication to strengthening partnerships with African stakeholders, led by the African Seed Trade Association and the Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK), to support innovation in plant breeding, harmonize regulatory frameworks, and create an enabling business environment,” added Attavar.
The release notes that plant breeding innovation is a cornerstone of agricultural progress, especially in Africa, where 2021 estimates show that up to 65% of productive land is degraded and invasive species cost the agricultural sector an estimated $65 billion annually.[1]
Recent advances in plant breeding innovations on the continent have already demonstrated significant benefits:
- Bt cowpea in Nigeria, approved in 2019, has reduced the need for insecticides by providing resistance to the Maruca pod borer pest. [Source: IITA]
- Bt cotton in Kenya, commercialized in 2020, offers protection against the African bollworm, a major threat to cotton yields. [Source: ISAAA]
- Teff breeding in Ethiopia is developing new lodging-resistant varieties, potentially reducing yield losses by up to 25%. [Source: MDPI]
Despite progress, access to quality seeds remains a challenge due to inconsistent policies and counterfeit seeds. ISF stated they are addressing this through initiatives like the Seed Resilience Project in Rwanda and seed certification programs. As a strategic partner in the OECD-G7 Joint Initiative, ISF supports expanding certified seed access in 14 African countries over five years. Additionally, ISF commends the African Union Commission and AUDA-NEPAD for advancing biotechnology regulations and promoting new breeding technologies to enhance food security.
AFSTA Congress 2025 was held in Kigali, Rwanda 3-5 March 2025.
[1] Sources: FAO, 2021; CABI, 2021
