The recent partnership between Trademark Africa and the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Regulatory Authorities of the East African Community (EAC) marks a major milestone in the modernization of trade document exchange. This collaboration focuses on using IOTA technology to exchange SPS documents across borders in East Africa.
The initiative was formalized at a workshop in Rwanda, where plans were outlined to create a dedicated digital platform for SPS certificates to address regulatory challenges and promote a more efficient, secure and connected trading community in East Africa. This project lays the foundation for the digital future of regional trade.
SPS measures are crucial for ensuring food safety and preventing the spread of plant pests and animal diseases. The SPS initiative between Trademark Africa and EAC regulators plans to use the Trade Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP), a digital infrastructure developed in partnership with IOTA, to exchange data related to SPS standards and regulations. The use of IOTA’s distributed ledger technology will facilitate the creation of digital identities to manage access to SPS data and entities.
Image: Trademark Africa