This publication examines seed trade liberalization in Africa, identifies lessons learnt during earlier liberalization efforts, and discusses the impacts of liberalization on agro-biodiversity. ICRISAT and Michigan State University collaborated on an FAO-funded project to study these issues, with a view to strengthening ongoing government efforts to reform and harmonize seed policy and seed trade regulations in various regions in Africa. These are the proceedings of the end-of-project workshop held at Matopos, Zimbabwe, during 5-6 Dec 2002. The proceedings review the status of seed policy reform in West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa; discuss lessons learned through an analysis of the reform process; and identify and prioritize follow-up activities. An economic model is also presented, as a framework for analyzing the costs and benefits associated with various reforms, for example regional registration of new varieties, harmonization of phytosanitary laws; and appropriate strategies for national and regional plant breeding programs. The reform and harmonization process is relatively advanced in East Africa, and could provide a model for other regions. But key issues still remain to be addressed. In East Africa, technical agreements established during earlier discussions need to be implemented, and the reform process extended beyond the three countries currently involved. In Southern Africa, such technical agreements are yet to be established. In West Africa a coordinating agency must be identified, to guide the reform process, and governments must strengthen the almost non-existent private seed sector. Capacity building will be needed in all regions, in order to effectively implement reforms