Unlocking the African bioeconomy and strengthening biodiversity conservation through genomics and bioinformatics
Ichrak Hayah, Victor Ezebuiro, Samuel Paul Kagame, Josiah Kuja, Cecilia Waruhiu, Lucky T. Nesengani, Sinebongo Mdyogolo, Annelin Molotsi, Priscilla Abechi, Asmaa M. Abushady, Nabil Amor, Brian Andika, Abdelhamid Barakat, Girish Beedessee, Marietjie Botes, Xavier David, Nzube Ebuzoeme, Zewdu Edea, Achraf El Allali, Owanate Pearl Elekima, Assem Kadry Elsherif, Semir Bechir Suheil Gaouar, Yohannes Gebre, Owunari A. Georgewill, Lydia Hadjeras, Mohammed Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Hijri, Isidore Houaga, Justin E. Ideozu, Matthias Igoh, Mary Paschal Iwundu, Syed Arif Sulthan Jaffer Ali, Atef Jaouani, Ahmed Marwane Kermouni Serradj, Radjaa Khedim, Mariëtte Kilian, Dennis Manthi Kivuva, Mehdi Knidiri, Komi Komi Koukoura, Eleojo Roseline Kwasi, Kim Labuschagne, Antoine Lusala Mafwila, Isabel Mensah, Uzoma Modebelu, Prudent Mokgokong, Morad M. Mokhtar, Sadik Muzemil, Helen Nigussie, Valentine Otang Ntui, Joel Ogwang, Nicholas A. Olivier, Olanrewaju Olufowobi, Taiwo Crossby Omotoriogun, Onikepe Folarin, Philomena Eromon, Jeremiah Orina, Faïssal Ouardi, Tracy Parish, Mercy Peter, Jacques Potgieter, Fouzia Radouani, Madeleine Ramantswana, Shaimaa Roshdy Abdullah Reda, Samson Pandam Salifu, Sarah Bingaman Schwartz, Ntji Shabangu, Abdoallah Sharaf, IM Siminialayi, Rae Marvin Smith, Hiroaki Taniguchi, Preye Maureen Tari-Ukuta, Kassahun Tesfaye, Fatim Zohra Tmimi, Libert Brice Tonfack, Ogbuagu Ugorji Udensi, Victoria Wavinya Wambua, Sammy Wambua, Kennedy Were, Tim Wood, Bret Mark Wurdeman, Yedomon Ange Bovys Zoclanclounon, Andrews Frimpong Adu, Sotonye Leslie Gillis-Harry, Nicholas Kwasi-Do Ohene Opoku, Thendo Stanley Tshilate, Siyeofori Dede, S. O. Minimah, Yves H. Tchiechoua, Andreas Gisel, Chadlia Hamdi, Tshepo Mafokwane, Blessing Adanta Odogwu, Gift Nwachukwu, Zahra Mungloo-Dilmohamud, Faten Ghodhbane‐Gtari, Chinagorom Ibeachu, Renate Dorothea Zipfel, Wenceslaus C. Madu, Johnpaul Chukwudi Okorocha, Tracy Masebe
Abstract
The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) is a Pan-African initiative aimed at improving food systems and biodiversity conservation through genomics while ensuring equitable data sharing and benefits. The Open Institute is the knowledge exchange platform of the AfricaBP, which aims to bridge local knowledge gaps in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics and enable infrastructural developments. In 2024, the AfricaBP Open Institute advanced this mission by organizing 31 workshops that attracted more than 3500 registered attendees across 50 African countries, provided training to 401 African researchers in genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, sample collections and biobanking, and ethical considerations, across all five African geographical regions involving 40 African and non-African organizations. These workshops provide insights on applications of biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics to the African bioeconomy, as well as hands-on training in sample collection and processing, genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and gene editing. Here, we provide the current understanding of the applications of biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics to the African bioeconomy through synthetic reviews and presentations, including descriptions of 31 workshops organized as well as three fellowship programs delivered or launched by the AfricaBP Open Institute in collaboration with African and international institutions and industry partners. We review the current national bioeconomy strategies across Africa and the economic impact of sequencing African genomes locally, illustrated by a case study on the proposed 1000 Moroccan Genome Project. Key recommendations include integrating biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics into national bioeconomy strategies, leveraging genomics for sustainable bioeconomy growth, and expanding capacity-building initiatives across Africa.