BACKGROUND

Many countries in Africa lack the necessary infrastructure and capacity to demonstrate compliance with international standards which effectively excludes them from the major exports markets. This lack of capacity also increases the risk of the introduction and spread of invasive species and plant pests on the continent. The project aims to address this problem by increasing the potential for phytosanitary capacity building in Africa through the establishment of a Phytosanitary Centre of Excellence – Eastern Africa in Nairobi (Kenya) for both the public and private sector. This will be done through a series of steps which include setting up the legal and institutional framework for a phytosanitary centre of excellence; the setting up of an improved phytosanitary information management system; develop an exemplary plant inspection facility for use as a demonstration and training tool; promote the centre and services it will offer within the region.

It is expected that the first major function of the COPE, training, to be carried out on a practical and academic level. The academic training to be conducted at the University of Nairobi (UoN) will incorporate mainly certificate, diploma-level and degree courses. It is specifically aimed at students wishing to deepen their phytosanitary knowledge and strengthening the overall knowledge of students on phytosanitary matters, their correlation to trade and environmental concerns as well as to trigger stronger scientific activity on phytosanitary subjects. The practical training, to be undertaken at the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) with the aim of providing short in-service training courses on the application of international phytosanitary standards, and internship for MSc research students. The certificate and diploma level training opportunities will mainly be tailored for phytosanitary officials and the private sector.

The lead agencies in the implementation of this project will be KEPHIS, the NPPO in Kenya and University of Nairobi, the largest university training facility in Kenya. They will be assisted by CABI, NPPS and IPPC.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

To deliver phytosanitary capacity building in Africa through the establishment of a  "Phytosanitary Centre of Excellence – Eastern Africa" at KEPHIS in Kenya.