The Ethiopian Seed Association (ESA), in partnership with the Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP), led a delegation to the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) 2026 Annual Congress, held from March 23–25, 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. Under the theme “Empowering Africa’s Future, One Seed at a Time,” the congress brought together key stakeholders from the seed industry across the continent and beyond to discuss strategies for advancing agricultural productivity and food security in Africa.
The Ethiopian delegation, which included representatives from two public seed enterprises, two domestic private companies, ESA, and ESP, had a dual mission at the congress. First, they aimed to build critical linkages between Ethiopian seed producers and international breeding companies to foster access to improved crop varieties. Second, the delegation sought to lobby the AFSTA Board to secure Ethiopia as the host nation for the AFSTA 2028 Congress.
Strategic partnerships for improved crop varieties
One of the significant achievements of the Ethiopian delegation was the establishment of business connections with major international seed companies. The team engaged in fruitful discussions with three prominent African seed companies, all of which expressed willingness to collaborate with Ethiopian enterprises. The talks centred on facilitating access to improved crop varieties already registered under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) framework, thereby streamlining the registration process in Ethiopia.
As part of the agreement, the international companies will send their varieties to Ethiopia for testing across various agro-ecological zones. This approach will enable Ethiopian seed producers to identify and adopt varieties best suited to their unique environmental conditions. In addition, the four companies had private discussions with many other companies, trying to establish business linkage. The partnerships are anticipated to significantly boost the adoption of COMESA-registered varieties in Ethiopia, paving the way for enhanced agricultural productivity and food security in the country.
Ethiopia’s bid to host AFSTA 2028 Congress
In addition to fostering business collaborations, the Ethiopian delegation actively lobbied for Addis Ababa to host the AFSTA 2028 Congress. During the congress, the team presented a compelling case, emphasizing Ethiopia’s strategic advantages and capacity to host such a high-profile event. They highlighted the country’s robust seed sector, which includes over 350 active seed companies, as well as its extensive experience in hosting major international conferences such as African Union summits and other global events.
The delegation also underscored Ethiopia’s logistical strengths, including the world-class services of Ethiopian Airlines and an array of international-standard hotels capable of accommodating global participants. Furthermore, they pointed out that despite Ethiopia’s longstanding membership in AFSTA; which includes consistent payment of membership fees and participation on the association’s board; the country has yet to host an AFSTA Congress. In contrast, some member nations have hosted multiple times.
The AFSTA Board responded positively to Ethiopia’s bid, acknowledging the country’s potential as a host nation. They encouraged the ESA to submit a formal proposal outlining detailed plans for hosting the event. The board also committed to establishing clear criteria for evaluating bids and ensuring a fair decision-making process.
A promising path forward
To summarize, the Ethiopian delegation at the AFSTA 2026 Congress secured notable achievements that contribute for a step forward for Ethiopia’s seed sector. The newly formed partnerships with international seed companies are expected to accelerate access to high-quality crop varieties, while Ethiopia’s bid to host the AFSTA 2028 Congress underscores its growing prominence in Africa’s seed sector.
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