AUDA-NEPAD Genome Editing Engagement meetings Kenya and Nigeria

31 October – 3 November 2022. Genome Editing Dialogue Kenya

AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation with co-host, the Ministry of Education, State Department for University Education and Research, Republic of Kenya

The goals of the meeting were to contribute to:

• Examine and explore factors and trends to galvanise and build a critical mass of Africa’s own science and policy capabilities in adapting and applying the science of genome editing in agriculture and food systems
• Building of community of champions in advocating and driving local adaptation and application of genome editing
• Bring out more context specific incentives (and disincentives) for expanded and accelerated safe application of genome editing to advance agriculture and food productivity, adaptation to climate change and support to expanded and nutritious food basket.

Related:

17-19 October 2022. three-day genome editing (GE) intervention meeting organised by the African Union Development Agency New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation (CoE STI) with support from the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) in Abuja.

Related:

13 October 2022. Genome Editing Technology in Transforming Agriculture and Food Systems Value Chains in Africa

Genome editing is among the most promising and innovative technologies to help optimise and sustain agricultural breeding towards enhancing African value chains and food systems to accelerate industrialisation on the Continent. The side event brings together policy makers, researchers, practitioners, businesses and partners to show-case and share insights on genome editing innovations by selected leading African scientists. 

The conversation was part of the efforts to support the expanded uptake of genome editing science to accelerate breeding and adaptation programmes in Africa’s agriculture and food systems. At the core of this conversation is the imperative and urgent need to leapfrog and optimise Africa’s agriculture and food systems performance along the CAADP-Malabo targets. 

This side event explored how to harness the genome editing technology in the African context for increased productivity, resilience, and adaptation to climate change as well as issues diets, mechanization, storage and food safety.