A regional initiative aimed at helping Central African agrifood businesses access the European market has trained officials and support actors responsible for accompanying small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, on compliance with European sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
The capacity-building workshop was organized in Douala on July 14 and 15, 2026, by the Programme for Support to Regional Integration and Investment in Central Africa, PAIRIAC, financed by the European Union. The training focused on strengthening the ability of institutions across the Central African region to guide SMEs in meeting European Union requirements governing agricultural and agrifood imports.
According to organizers, many agricultural and agrifood products produced in Central Africa are intended for both regional and international markets but do not always comply with European standards. The program seeks to improve conformity with sanitary and phytosanitary measures designed to protect human, animal and plant health while facilitating access to export markets.
Organizers said the training equipped participants with knowledge of market requirements and regulatory developments to help enterprises become more competitive in a demanding global marketplace. Maximin Emagna, PAIRIAC coordinator, said compliance with European regulations remains essential for exporters seeking to avoid border rejections.
“There is European Union legislation defining acceptable residue levels in agricultural products. Traces of chemicals, pesticides or heavy metals above authorized thresholds can lead to products being rejected. Rules evolve regularly and information must reach SMEs. The objective is to ensure products exported from Central Africa meet requirements and are not turned back at European borders,” Emagna said.
On his part, Alphonsine Louhari Tokozaba, a delegate from the Republic of Congo, said authorities are strengthening monitoring systems to anticipate risks affecting agricultural exports.
“In Congo, we carry out extensive surveillance to prevent attacks from rodents and other pests. When a risk reaches a critical level, treatment measures are introduced. Products are now handled on a case-by-case basis because their capacity to absorb chemical treatments differs. Inspections are conducted afterwards to ensure compliance before export,” she said.
Experts also identified persistent non-compliance issues linked to weak enforcement of sanitary and phytosanitary standards, infrastructure gaps and coordination challenges across the region.
Mercy Fosoh