In a historic meeting with important Pan-African Parliament (PAP) committees, the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) explored the transforming possibilities of genome editing (GEd) in tackling urgent environmental and agricultural issues. Attracting lawmakers, scientists, and policy experts, the conference in Midrand, South Africa sought to investigate how innovative biotechnology may propel sustainable development, fight climate change, and lower poverty and hunger all throughout the continent.
Prof. Olalekan Akinbo led the AUDA-NEPAD Genome Editing Project team, which showcased the progress from the start of the program in 2021. Comprising eight African nations—Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe—the initiative seeks to improve agricultural output and resilience by means of creative biotechnological solutions. To support cooperation among scientists, legislators, and business leaders, the team emphasized the evolution of communication methods, stakeholder engagement platforms, and a Community of Practice to raise awareness among key stakeholders across the continent.
A common Vision for the Agri-food Systems of Africa
The participation highlighted the alignment of the genome editing effort with the Kampala Declaration and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) 2026–2035 plan. These models acknowledge how important biotechnology is in changing Africa’s agri-food systems to fit new demands like economic disparity, food poverty, and climate change.
Strong support for the project was shown by parliamentarians who saw its ability to transform the agricultural sector and raise standards of living. “Genome editing is a tool for empowerment, not only a scientific breakthrough,” stated one member of the Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources. “We have to make sure this technology gets to our communities and farms so we may really change things.”
Key Takeaways and Commitments
Parliamentarians asked insightful questions and promised various promises to further the project throughout the session:
- Scaling Up: Members asked about strategies to grow the project from the eight pilot nations now in operation to all 54 African Union members. They underlined the importance of inclusive development and fair distribution of the advantages of genome editing.
- Climate Resilience: Understanding the significant effects of climate change on African agriculture, legislators embraced genome editing as a possible means of improving crop resilience and lowering reliance on expensive inputs like fertilizers.
- Safety and Health: AUDA-NEPAD reassured strict scientific monitoring and regulatory systems to guarantee public safety, therefore addressing concerns about the safety and health consequences of genome-edited products.
- Gender Inclusion: Parliamentarians pushed the project to include gender issues into its design and execution so that women farmers and researchers would equally be represented and gainers from it.
- Indigenous Crops: Research on indigenous crops was strongly urged to be given top priority in order to satisfy local tastes and dietary demands by improving features like production, flavor, and palatability.
- Model Legislation: The Pan-African Parliament promised to work with AUDA-NEPAD to create a model legislation that would direct member nations in developing scientifically informed laws and rules for genome editing.
A Call for Cooperation and Resource Mobilization
To create a harmonic environment for genome editing advances at both national and regional levels, AUDA-NEPAD urged for more cooperation and resource mobilization. Parliamentarians were asked to back group projects around Africa so that the continent stays leading edge for agricultural innovation.
Following the meeting, a key AUDA-NEPAD team member Dr. Bongani Nkhabindze noted, “This is not just about science; it’s about partnership.” “We need communities, scientists, and legislators to enable genome editing a reality for Africa.” Attending the conference, another AUDA-NEPAD team member, Dr. Billy Ratemo said, “Collaboration across all levels is essential to ensure this technology benefits everyone on the continent.”
The engagement between AUDA-NEPAD and the Pan African Parliament represents a major advance in increasing knowledge of the possibilities of genome editing to propel African sustainable development. Working together with member states and regional economic communities to guarantee the effective execution of the project, the AUDA-NEPAD team committed themselves to following up on the debates. Genome editing presents a ray of hope as Africa confronts both food shortages and climate change. With the support of the Pan-African Parliament and the parliamentarians, this innovative technology may open the path for a more strong, rich future for the continent.
