For inspection companies and certification bodies
Inspection assignments and digital certification for the commodity trade platform.
Commodity Plus operates a certified inspector network across African commodity corridors. Professional inspection companies with trained graders and geographic coverage can apply to join. Assignments are routed to the nearest qualified inspector. Certificates are stored in a permanent, auditable record.
Assignment routing
Contracts define inspection schedules. Assignments are routed automatically.
Each contract specifies required inspections and the stage at which each is triggered — farm level, collection point, warehouse intake, pre-shipment. When a fulfilment milestone triggers an inspection, the platform assigns it to the nearest qualified inspector based on commodity certification, geographic zone, and availability.
Digital inspection workflow
Commodity-specific checklists. GPS-tagged evidence. Immutable certificates.
Inspectors use structured mobile checklists built against the relevant international grading standard for each commodity. Each completed inspection produces a timestamped, geolocated, photo-evidenced digital certificate.
Certificates are stored immutably. They cannot be edited after issuance by any party. Buyers, sellers, financial institutions, and government authorities access inspection records relevant to their transactions through the platform.
Performance visibility
Inspection quality is measured and tracked.
The platform tracks each inspector's certification volume, commodity coverage, turnaround time, and dispute rate (the share of certificates challenged at destination). Metrics are available to the inspection company's management through a performance dashboard.
When two inspectors grade the same lot differently, the platform flags the case for calibration review. Certification expiry dates are tracked and renewal training is scheduled in advance.
Payment
Rates defined in advance. Payment on certificate submission.
Inspection costs are defined in the buyer-seller contract and allocated between the parties. Inspection companies maintain a rate card by commodity, inspection stage, and geographic zone. The platform invoices the responsible party when the completed certificate is submitted.
Requirements
Criteria for inclusion in the inspector network.
- Geographic coverage
- Presence in or near major commodity production zones and export corridors in East Africa, West Africa, the Great Lakes region, or Southern Africa.
- Certified graders
- Commodity-trained inspectors certified against international standards. ICO Q-graders for coffee, UNECE-trained assessors for fresh produce, and assay-capable laboratories for mineral commodities.
- Digital capability
- The inspection application supports offline use with sync on reconnection. Inspectors should be comfortable with mobile-based digital workflows.
- Professional indemnity
- Insurance coverage appropriate to the value of commodities being certified.
Government grading authorities
National grading bodies can integrate with the platform.
Government standards bureaux and phytosanitary authorities with national grading teams can connect their inspectors to the platform inspection layer. Certificates carry government authority. Phytosanitary certificate issuance integrates with existing government workflows.
Apply
Submit an application.
Provide the company profile — coverage areas, commodity certifications, team size, and laboratory capability. Credentials and professional indemnity are verified. Inspectors are onboarded to the inspection application with commodity-specific training and a calibration assessment.