Africa is positioning itself as a key player in the realm of genome editing, according to a recent report that outlines the ongoing efforts across the continent. With a total of 57 projects either completed or in progress across 16 nations, the initiative aims to address critical agricultural challenges that Africa faces today.
The comprehensive study, carried out by Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International in collaboration with AGTECH Consulting Ltd and commissioned by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), emphasizes the focus on enhancing crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries. These efforts are particularly aimed at mitigating issues such as climate challenges, pest invasions, diseases, and subpar yields.
Professor Olalekan Akinbo, who oversees the Genome Editing Programme at AUDA-NEPAD, noted that many of these projects are currently in the proof-of-concept and early product development phases. This innovative technology allows researchers to make targeted changes to an organism’s DNA without the necessity of incorporating foreign genes.
Kenya stands out as the leader in this movement, hosting 13 active projects—nine aimed at crops and four at livestock. The success of these initiatives is largely credited to robust partnerships between the public and private sectors that facilitate research, regulatory practices, and funding.
Following closely is Egypt, which has initiated eight crop-focused projects, while South Africa is engaged in seven projects, including one in forestry. The findings were presented during a three-day validation workshop in Nairobi, where experts from the 16 participating countries came together to review and refine their respective reports.
Nigeria is involved in six genome editing projects, with Ethiopia, Ghana, and Rwanda each contributing four. Other countries like Mozambique, Morocco, Burkina Faso, and Mauritius are also participating, demonstrating a continent-wide commitment to advancing science-based agricultural practices.
The report highlights that 11 of the surveyed countries have established biosafety laws, while five operate under ministerial regulations. Notably, six nations—Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Burkina Faso—have set forth genome editing guidelines, paving the way for the commercialization of genome-edited agricultural products. Furthermore, Mozambique and Zimbabwe are in the process of finalizing their guidelines.
Professor Akinbo urged African governments to enhance their policy and regulatory frameworks to foster responsible scientific innovation, ensuring that the continent remains competitive in the global biotechnology landscape. The study serves as a vital resource, offering insights into the advancements in genome editing while highlighting opportunities to improve agricultural productivity, minimize post-harvest losses, enhance nutrition, and promote climate resilience within Africa’s food systems.
