Africa must embrace genomics if it wants to achieve food security and conserve vital biodiversity, according to the African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP), a platform working to expand capacity and infrastructure for genomics across the continent.
However, this is no small task. Despite food insecurity and disappearing biodiversity, Africa has been slow—even apprehensive—to embrace genomics that could alleviate such problems.
Globally, the genomics market is projected to grow from $42.6 billion in 2024 to $66.8 billion by 2029.
But only 11 of Africa’s 54 countries have, for example, adopted GMO crops, and a mere seven have established regulatory frameworks for them. South Africa leads, with 85% of its maize grown being GMO, which enables the country to meet domestic consumption needs while providing enough surplus for exports.
By and large, though, GMO crops have faced opposition in Africa, and the world of genomics in general remains foreign to most parts of the continent.
At the same time, Africa stands to lose nearly all of its endangered species due to the fact that no one has ever sequenced these animal and plant genomics.
Africa boasts around 123,000 known animal species and 60,000 plant species. Over the past two decades, just 20 of those plants and a mere 11 animals have been sequenced. The majority of this sequencing work was done outside of Africa.
Safeguarding biodiversity and the food system
Established in 2021, AfricaBP is sequencing, cataloguing and studying the genomes of Africa’s rich and diverse biodiversity in the hopes of safeguarding it and simultaneously advancing genomics and bioinformatics across the continent.
Through its knowledge exchange platform, known as the Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics (Open Institute), the initiative published a study recently that captures its ambitious efforts.
“Unlocking the African Bioeconomy and Strengthening Biodiversity Conservation through Genomics and Bioinformatics,” provides a comprehensive account of why Africa cannot be scared of or run away from genomics if it wants to achieve food security and conserve biodiversity.
“Biodiversity genomics offers transformative economic opportunities for Africa, with the sequencing of 105,000 species projected to generate substantial direct, indirect, and induced impacts across the continent,” states the study.
“Genomics is not just a scientific tool—it is a continental catalyst,” said Prof. Bouabid Badaoui, co-chair and AfricaBP North Africa Regional Coordinator.
“By decoding Africa’s rich biodiversity, we are unlocking solutions tailored to our ecological and economic realities. It is through the power of genomics that Africa can reclaim ownership of its biological heritage, fuel innovation, and build a resilient, self-sufficient bioeconomy driven by African knowledge, African data, and African priorities.“
Prof. Anne Muigai, Chair, AfricaBP, called the publication “a milestone in AfricaBP’s contribution to unlocking Africa’s bioeconomy through genomics and bioinformatics.”
She added that by empowering African scientists in local institutions through hands-on training, and by harnessing the power of public and private sector collaborations, AfricaBP is laying the foundation for a resilient and inclusive bioeconomy rooted in African knowledge.
‘An extremely challenging task’
AfricaBP understands that it faces an extremely challenging task. So far, it has set an ambitious goal of sequencing approximately 105,000 endemic species cutting across plants, animals, fungi, protozoa and other eukaryotes.
To achieve this goal, the organization has assembled a team of over 100 African scientists and over 20 organizations from across the continent to undertake the project, the costs of which run into the millions.
In its estimates, AfricaBP reckons that to produce high-quality reference genomes for the 105,000 species, a staggering $850 million is required for sequencing, while another $20 million will be required to store, download, transfer, and process the data. All of this amounts to roughly $100 million annually.
Notably, AfricaBP is focusing on species that have economic, scientific and cultural significance for African communities both in terms of sustainable food systems and biodiversity conservation.
In terms of benefits, South Africa is a case study. Estimates show that investments of $4 million in the beef genomics program could generate returns to the tune of $140 million over a 10-year period.
To date, however, Africa’s genomics initiatives continue to remain in the safe confines of scientists, research institutions, universities, policymakers, governmental organizations and international partners.
The fact that few countries are putting the technology out into the public sphere to spur robust engagements is a clear indication of the controversy that genomics has the potential to generate on the continent. If the African response to GMOs is an indicator, this is something that most governments would rather avoid.
While governments remain cautious, AfricaBP is determined to advance the competitiveness of Africa’s genomics landscape through capacity building and efforts to establish local sequencing hubs. The organization contends that this is critical in reducing foreign dependency, creating skilled jobs, lowering costs and accelerating innovations.
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