BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE – Eswatini is taking steps to modernise the movement of plants and plant products across its borders as the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, moves to introduce an electronic phytosanitary certification system.
The development was highlighted during the two-day Sensitization and Consultation Workshop on the use of the NaPHIS ePhyto Solution for Eswatini, held on July 24, 2026, bringing together stakeholders from various organisations involved in the plant and plant products industry.
The workshop sought to educate participants on the new electronic phytosanitary certification system as the National Plant Inspectorate Service (NaPHIS), a department under the Ministry of Agriculture, shifts from the traditional paper-based system to a modern electronic method.
NaPHIS is responsible for issuing import and export permits for plants and plant products, making it a key player in facilitating agricultural trade while ensuring that plant materials entering and leaving Eswatini comply with the required phytosanitary standards.
The transition to the ePhyto system is expected to streamline the certification process, reduce reliance on paperwork and strengthen Eswatini’s connection to international agricultural markets.
Principal Plant Health and Protection Officer Bheki Nzima appreciated the stakeholders for participating in the workshop, noting that their involvement would be important in ensuring a smooth transition from the paper-based system to the electronic platform.
Nzima also highlighted the potential benefits of adopting the ePhyto system, particularly for Eswatini’s agricultural exporters seeking to access international markets.
“If implemented well, this system grants access to 156 countries, and that is a sizeable number,” Nzima said.
He noted that the new system could create greater opportunities for businesses involved in the export of plants and plant products by facilitating access to international markets and making trade processes more efficient.
The workshop also provided stakeholders with an opportunity to understand how the NaPHIS ePhyto Solution will operate and what the transition will mean for organisations and businesses involved in the import and export of plant products.
The shift from paper-based certification to electronic certification forms part of a broader global move towards digitalising trade processes, with the aim of reducing administrative burdens while improving the speed, efficiency and transparency of cross-border transactions.
For Eswatini, the adoption of the ePhyto system is expected to strengthen the country’s plant health certification processes and support the growth of agricultural trade.
It could also improve the country’s ability to connect local producers and exporters with international markets, creating more opportunities for businesses operating within the plant and plant products value chain.
Stakeholder sensitisation and consultation remain critical to the successful implementation of the new system, as industry players will need to understand the new procedures and adapt their operations accordingly.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO in conducting the workshop therefore marks an important step in preparing stakeholders for the implementation of the modernised phytosanitary certification system.
As Eswatini continues to pursue opportunities to expand agricultural production and trade, the introduction of the ePhyto system could provide a vital digital link between the country’s producers, exporters and markets beyond its borders.
With effective implementation, the system is expected to contribute to a more efficient and modern plant certification environment, positioning Eswatini to participate more effectively in global agricultural trade while maintaining strong plant health and protection standards.
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