2021 Access to Seeds Index: Regional landscaping report for Eastern and Southern Africa

The 2021 Access to Seeds Index will evaluate a total of 72 seed companies in 3 regions: Eastern and Southern Africa, Western and Central Africa (WCA) and South and South-east Asia (SSEA). 32  seed companies are from the region of Eastern and Southern Africa.

The seed companies in scope for the Eastern and Southern Africa Index can be divided into national, regional, and global companies. Nationally operating companies in scope are considered as leading in their home market. Regional seed companies also operate outside their home country, often through agents, although some have also set up additional offices and seed production activities in the region. Global seed companies active in Eastern and Southern Africa have their headquarters outside the region. Several have developed a physical presence in the region through breeding stations, seed production, and/or marketing activities.

This landscaping report covers 19 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa namely, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In addition, background and updates are provided on developments in seed harmonization and seed policies on a regional and country level to reflect the environment in which the seed industry operates in the region.