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The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has officially launched the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF) ePhyto Project in Sierra Leone, marking a significant step toward modernizing the country’s agricultural trade systems.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the International Plant Protection Convention, is being driven locally through the Crop Protection Unit (CPU) of MAFS.
The event, themed “Soft-Launch Event-ePhyto Project,” was held at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in Freetown.
The ePhyto Project focuses on the electronic issuance and exchange of phytosanitary certificates, aiming to improve efficiency in agricultural trade, enhance transparency, and strengthen the monitoring of plant shipments to better respond to plant health risks.
Launching the project on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Minister II, Mr. Sahr Hemore, commended GATF and FAO for their strong partnership and support. He described the initiative as transformative, noting that it will transition Sierra Leone from a paper-based certification system to a modern electronic platform.
“This system will improve efficiency, transparency, and reliability in the issuance and exchange of certificates, facilitating safer and faster trade in agricultural commodities,” he stated.
Mr. Hemore disclosed that an implementation mission currently underway in Freetown, running from April 13 to April 17, 2026, is laying the groundwork for the project’s success. He emphasized that the process involves not only launching the system but also building institutional capacity and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, including the private sector.
He further assured that the Government remains committed to providing the necessary policy direction, institutional support, and coordination to ensure the project achieves its objectives, including reducing delays and costs in agricultural exports.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Laura Garrone, Project Manager for GATF, highlighted the importance of modernizing phytosanitary certification processes to facilitate global agricultural trade. She commended the Government of Sierra Leone for its leadership and active engagement, particularly the efforts of MAFS and its Crop Protection Unit.
She noted that GATF brings together public institutions, private sector actors, and development partners to deliver practical, sustainable reforms through dialogue and shared ownership.
Also addressing the gathering, the Chief Agriculture Officer at MAFS, Professor Abdulai Jalloh, expressed appreciation for the initiative, linking it to the Ministry’s broader Feed Salone Project, which prioritizes increased agricultural production and export promotion.
The launch concluded with technical presentations from GATF representatives, Ms. Laura Garrone and Mr. Amine Belkhadir, alongside the Head of CPU, Mr. Alie Mansaray. The presentations focused on the global application of the ePhyto solution and its expected benefits for Sierra Leone.
