The Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Seed Trade Association (AfSTA) on the sidelines a regional meeting on the COMESA Seed Information System and the COMESA Seed Harmonisation Implementation Programme (COMSHIP). The MOU seeks to advance;
✅ Increased seed production, reliability and trade competitiveness of the Seed Industry in the COMESA region;
✅ Seed Quality Assurance and Certification;
✅ Regional Seed Trade Facilitation; and
✅ Digital Transformation and Innovation, and private sector development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held in Lusaka, Zambia 6th August 2026, African Seed Trade Association (AfSTA) Secretary General, Dr. Yacouba Diallo and the COMESA Acting Secretary General for programmes, Ms. Esther Mwimba, representing the ACTESA CEO, Dr John Mukuka, described the MoU signing as a significant step towards accelerating access to quality certified seed, increased productivity, enhanced intra-agriculture trade and food security the COMESA region.
“Today’s signing ceremony actualizes a framework of our partnership with ACTESA, crucial in accelerating implementation of the COMSHIP,” remarked Dr Yacouba.
The signing ceremony is more than symbolic ceremony, it’s a demonstration of ACTESA and AFSTA’s commitment in transforming Africa’s agri-food systems to ensure farmers have access to high-quality, affordable, reliable, high-yielding, and climate-resilient seeds.
Looking ahead, we are thrilled with the shared commitment to drive agriculture competitive and resilient economies. Special thanks to our partner AATF African Agricultural Technology Foundation for their unwavering support.
