Building a Unified Knowledge Management Framework for SPS: Key Outcomes from the African Union Consultative Meeting

The African Union’s Agriculture and Food Security Division (AFSD), in collaboration with the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the African Union Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC), convened the Consultative Meeting on the Development and Promotion of Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) and Information-Sharing Platforms on Food Safety, Plant, and Animal Health. Held from November 25 to 29, 2024, in Lusaka, Zambia, this landmark event gathered key stakeholders, including representatives from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), government ministries, regulators, knowledge management and IT experts, and international professionals.

Context and Relevance
Food safety, plant health, and animal health are vital for sustainable agricultural productivity, public health, and economic growth in Africa. These areas underpin the continent’s aspirations outlined in Agenda 2063 and the Malabo Declaration, and are critical to advancing intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). However, the lack of robust SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) systems, poor coordination, and inadequate digital infrastructure have created significant barriers. This consultative meeting addressed these issues by setting the stage for the development of a harmonized knowledge management and information-sharing framework.

Objectives and Focus Areas
The meeting aimed to review existing SPS-related knowledge management systems, analyze gaps and inefficiencies, and develop guidelines to establish a unified framework for information sharing. Specific focus areas included assessing current systems and emerging trends, exploring options to improve their functionality, and integrating emerging technologies into SPS processes. Additionally, discussions centered on fostering stakeholder collaboration, enhancing interoperability among platforms, and aligning policy frameworks with international standards to facilitate trade compliance.
Mapping the current landscape was a key element of the meeting. This exercise provided a baseline for designing future interventions, and it focused on evaluating system functionality, assessing interoperability, defining stakeholder roles, and identifying technological gaps. The mapping also looked at existing information and knowledge needs, gaps, and knowledge flows, which are essential for shaping effective interventions. These insights will ensure that the proposed SPS knowledge management framework meets user needs and aligns with Africa’s broader trade and development goals.

Findings and Challenges
Discussions revealed fragmented SPS knowledge systems across the continent, inconsistencies in data standards, and a lack of awareness about existing platforms. Capacity constraints, particularly in digital infrastructure and technical expertise, were also identified as critical challenges. Moreover, the absence of updated regulatory frameworks in many countries further hindered progress toward robust SPS measures.

Key Outcomes
The meeting produced several actionable outcomes, including a detailed map of existing SPS knowledge systems and gaps, guidelines for improving platform interoperability, and a roadmap for establishing a Continental SPS Knowledge Management Hub. Participants also recommended strategies to enhance collaboration, build capacity, and promote user-friendly and technology-driven systems.

Recommendations and Next Steps
Key recommendations from the meeting emphasized the need for enhanced coordination among SPS institutions, investments in capacity-building initiatives, and the development of harmonized, user-centered platforms that leverage advanced technologies. These platforms should be accessible to all stakeholders, from policymakers to grassroots actors, ensuring inclusivity and efficiency. In the animal health sphere, the Animal Resources Information System (ARIS) was seen as a potential system that could be leveraged to facilitate real-time data sharing, enhance disease surveillance, and improve reporting mechanisms to support evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation.

The outcomes of this meeting will guide the development of a centralized Continental SPS Knowledge Management and Information Sharing Hub. This hub will serve as a critical tool to promote collaboration, improve compliance with SPS standards, and support the implementation of the AfCFTA.