Deputy Agriculture Minister launches SPSIS project to boost trade

By Dean Chisambo………

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Thokozani Tembo, has launched the digital Sanitary and Phytosanitary Information System (SPSIS) project aimed at enhancing agricultural trade among farmers, exporters, and importers of agricultural commodities.

Tembo officially launched the SPSIS project on Wednesday in Lilongwe, describing the system as a major step towards simplifying the import and export of animals and crops.

He noted that the previous system faced several challenges, including cumbersome paperwork during license applications, risk of forgery, lack of integration with payment systems, and limited channels for customer complaints.

Tembo said the new digital platform will streamline export and import processes, stressing that a user-friendly system is essential for efficient trade.

“When the system is user-friendly, it makes things easier for farmers and improves trade,” he said.

He added that the system will strengthen Malawi’s trade relations with other countries and assured the public that the government is committed to ensuring the project’s sustainability, saying it will benefit not only the Ministry of Agriculture but the country as a whole.

According to Tembo, the system will help farmers through faster processing of sanitary and phytosanitary certificates, enable applications for import and export permits from any part of Malawi, improve process controls, generate accurate statistical data, and facilitate quicker payments through integration with e-payment platforms.

He further explained that the ministry is digitizing its services to help Malawi compete effectively in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), thereby improving access to goods and markets.

Southern Africa Trade Connectivity Project Manager, Hastings Ngoma, said the system will allow traders to access their certificates online.

“As long as you have a smartphone or laptop, you can register and renew your certificate from anywhere,” said Ngoma.

Funded by the World Bank at a cost of 150 million US dollars, the SPSIS project is expected to run until June 2027.

The launch brought together officials from the Department of Animal Health, Department of Agricultural Research, and the Southern Africa Trade Connectivity Project.