By SLCCIA Communications Advancing the ePhyto Project
The Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (SLCCIA) reaffirmed its commitment to promoting trade facilitation and improving the efficiency of cross-border trade through its active participation in the Electronic Phytosanitary Certificate (ePhyto) Project. Implemented in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation and key national stakeholders, the initiative seeks to modernise phytosanitary certification processes through digitalisation, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Sierra Leone’s agricultural and export sectors.
During the period under review, the Chamber participated in several key activities under the project. These included representation at the official soft launch of the ePhyto Project hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, participation in a specialised capacity-building training program, and the hosting of a stakeholder engagement session at the Chamber Secretariat in partnership with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation. These engagements brought together representatives from Government institutions, the private sector, development partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and support the successful implementation of the initiative.
The discussions highlighted the importance of digitalising phytosanitary certification procedures to reduce administrative bottlenecks, improve transparency, minimise processing times, and facilitate the movement of agricultural products across borders. The initiative is expected to simplify export procedures, improve compliance with international standards, and enhance Sierra Leone’s ability to compete in regional and global markets.
Through its continued participation in the ePhyto Project, the Chamber has demonstrated its commitment to supporting reforms that improve the country’s trade ecosystem and create a more efficient business environment. The initiative reflects SLCCIA’s broader objective of promoting innovation, strengthening trade facilitation, and advocating for policies and programm that expand market access and unlock new opportunities for Sierra Leonean businesses and exporters.
