The Honorable Dr. Belete Mola, Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, received a
team from the African Union Development Agency, headed by Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Head of
the Genome Editing Initiative. The discussion was characterized as positive, emphasizing
Ethiopia’s dedication to facilitating the landscape analysis exercise on genome editing (GEd)
throughout the nation. Dr. Belete confirmed that the Ethiopian government, in conjunction with
associated institutions, is committed to partnering with African Union Development Agency and
Africa Harvest to guarantee the effective execution of this program.
Prof. Kassahun Tesfaye, Director General of the Bio and Emerging Technology Institute
(BETin), emphasized the valuable contributions of African Union Development Agency in
Ethiopia. These include preparing the GEd communication and advocacy strategy, developing
training modules, and building capacity for researchers, policymakers, and university staff. He
stressed that the landscape analysis is critical for identifying gaps and determining necessary
steps to implement genome editing in Ethiopia and across Africa. BETin has pledged to work
closely with the African Union Development Agency team and Africa Harvest to ensure
effective execution of the analysis.
Prof. Olalekan Akinbo elucidated that the landscape analysis exercise is concurrently being
executed in other African nations, according to a demand-driven methodology. He emphasized
that member nations are thoroughly engaged in the process, with data obtained directly from
them. The consultant will assess the acquired data and subsequently deliver it to member states.
A ministerial conference is planned for next year in Kenya to review the findings.
High-ranking officials from the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, including ministerial
advisers, together with representatives from the Bio and Emerging Technology Institute and the
Ethiopian Agriculture Research Institute, attended the meeting in Ethiopia. All parties
demonstrated their preparedness and dedication to cooperate for the effective execution of the
landscape study and to endorse genome editing projects in Ethiopia and abroad. The discussions
confirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to use innovation and technology for sustainable development
in partnership with regional and international collaborators.
