On 25 February 2026, partners and stakeholders gathered for the official launch of ABioSA Phase III and the unveiling of the new ABioSA website. Hosted as a joint DFFE/GIZ partner event, the evening brought together government leaders, international partners, traditional knowledge (TK) holders, industry representatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to celebrate progress in strengthening South Africa’s biotrade sector.
The event marked not only the start of a new project phase, but also a renewed commitment to collaboration, compliance and competitiveness across biodiversity-based value chains. Guests were welcomed with a marula health booster, symbolising the work that the project has spearheaded in the regulatory application of marula fruit products into the European market.
Leadership Voices Underscore Collaboration
The program featured keynote addresses from senior representatives of government and international partners. They highlighted the importance of biodiversity in addressing climate resilience, livelihoods and sustainable development, emphasising ABioSA’s track record as a strong foundation for Phase III:
- Two African Biotrade Festivals (2023 and 2025) that strengthened dialogue and regional visibility
- Industry-wide benefit-sharing agreements for Buchu and Honeybush, advancing equitable partnerships with traditional knowledge holders
- Structured support to MSMEs through technical and financial assistance fostering trust, traceability and market confidence
- Development and implementation of Sector Development Plans (SDPs) to guide priority species value chains
- Strengthened monitoring and evaluation systems to improve reliable industry data
- A key role in fostering competitiveness, sustainability and inclusiveness in the biotrade sector
Launch of the New ABioSA Website
A highlight of the evening was the official launch of the new ABioSA website, introduced as a central knowledge hub for the South African biotrade community.
The platform consolidates knowledge products, tools, research, species profiles and achievements from three major initiatives, ABioSA, the ABS Capacity Development Initiative and BioInnovation Africa, into one searchable, intuitive and user-friendly space. While the latter two projects have come to an end, the legacy of the knowledge and knowhow will remain accessible on this platform.
With dedicated sections for the current Phase III activities, knowledge resources, species information, partners, achievements and a growing image gallery, the site aims to serve a broad constituency, from experienced biotraders and small businesses to government officials, traditional leaders and potential importers.
Once online, there will be an official announcement inviting stakeholders to visit www.abiosa.org.
Looking Ahead: Phase III Priorities
ABioSA Phase III will continue building on its strong foundation by:
- Programmatic support to MSMEs through technical and financial assistance in collaboration with the BioPANZA Market Access Cluster
- Advancing Sector Development Plans across priority species with broader collaboration
- Strengthening monitoring, evaluation and data systems
- Deepening collaboration between industry, TK holders, and government
- Aligning national efforts with global biodiversity targets
- Strengthening public collaboration across the southern region and south to south peer learning
With Phase III, ABioSA moves from successful implementation to scaled transformation – deepening partnerships, strengthening systems and expanding opportunities across the region’s biodiversity economy.
As ABioSA enters its third and final phase, the message from the launch event is clear: strong partnerships, credible data, inclusive value chains and accessible knowledge remain the cornerstones of a resilient, sustainable, and competitive southern African biotrade sector.