Unlocking the Potential of Gene Editing for National Development

POLICY BRIEF 1

Unlocking the Potential of Gene Editing for National Development

Target Audience: Government Ministries and Policymakers

Gene editing (GEd) offers Africa a critical scientific tool to accelerate progress in agriculture, health, and industry. With its ability to make precise changes to an organism’s DNA—without necessarily introducing foreign genes—GEd holds promise for improving food security, managing disease, and addressing climate challenges. Compared to older genetic modification approaches, GEd often presents fewer regulatory complexities and may be more adaptable to local contexts.

To realize this potential, African governments must act strategically. While a few countries have begun creating enabling environments, many still lack the policy frameworks, regulatory clarity, and institutional coordination needed to support responsible innovation. Without deliberate leadership, Africa risks falling behind in a fast-evolving global biotechnology landscape.

The AUDA-NEPAD Gene Editing Landscape Study, conducted across 16 African countries, assessed national readiness in regulation, policy, and technical capacity. The study highlights opportunities for national governments to provide direction, mobilize investment, and establish systems that ensure gene editing advances ethically, inclusively, and sustainably.

Key Findings from the Landscape Study

Figure 1: Mean score of scientists’ knowledge of GEd technology across different countries

• Policy Gaps: Most countries lack national policies that explicitly integrate GEd within STI, agriculture, or health frameworks.
• Regulatory Fragmentation: Responsibilities for GEd oversight are scattered across ministries with limited coordination mechanisms.
• Donor-Driven R&D: The majority of GEd projects are externally funded with minimal national ownership or long-term continuity strategies.
• Low National Investment: National budgets for GEd R&D remain negligible, despite growing interest among scientists and universities.
• Limited Public Dialogue: Few countries have initiated structured engagement with communities, civil society, or youth on genome editing.
• Variable Capacity and Readiness: Some countries have already developed GEd guidelines and established enabling environments, while others are making steady progress toward regulatory clarity and institutional preparedness.

Opportunities for Government Leadership

Gene editing is a cross-cutting technology that touches multiple sectors. Government ministries are uniquely positioned to:

• Integrate GEd into national development plans and STI, agriculture, health, and education policies.
• Establish inter-ministerial coordination bodies for genome editing governance and policy coherence.
• Support local innovation through dedicated GEd funding and inclusion in national research agendas.
• Align national GEd strategies with continental frameworks under AUDA-NEPAD, the African Union’s Model Law on Biosafety, and Agenda 2063.
• Create mechanisms for inclusive, transparent dialogue with academia, industry, and civil society.

Policy Recommendations

1. Develop a National GEd Strategy or Roadmap
   Align genome editing policy with national development priorities, incorporating targets for food security, health, climate resilience, and innovation.
2. Establish Cross-Ministerial Coordination Mechanisms
   Formalize cooperation among ministries of agriculture, science and technology, environment, education, and health for coherent GEd oversight.
3. Invest in Local Research and Innovation
   Channel national funding into research institutions and universities with potential to lead GEd R&D, capacity building, and product development.
4. Clarify the Regulatory Pathway
   Work with biosafety authorities to align national GEd oversight with AUDA-NEPAD guidance and adopt science-based, risk-proportionate regulations.
5. Institutionalise Public Engagement
   Involve communities, youth, farmers, and advocacy groups in shaping national positions on genome editing to build public trust and legitimacy.

Call to Action

Gene editing is already reshaping innovation globally—and Africa must not watch from the sidelines. With bold leadership, African governments can harness this technology to address national priorities, empower local innovators, and contribute to global scientific advancement.

AUDA-NEPAD invites national policymakers to work collaboratively in shaping strategic frameworks that unlock the promise of gene editing. Through its technical expertise, policy tools, and capacity-building platforms, AUDA-NEPAD stands ready to support countries in ensuring ethical, inclusive, and sustainable development.

Contact: AUDA-NEPAD [Insert email/contact point]