Secondary data (literature review) for Mozambique was gathered and assembled from published literature and institutional website databases while primary data was collected by a team of trained enumerators who visited the key institutions and conducted face to face interviews with key stakeholders. In special cases, an online link was used to share the questionnaire. Primary data collected through live interviews was captured using an online data kit (ODK) and stored at the Africa Harvest server. Data from these two sources (primary and secondary) were then analysed, synthesized and packaged giving detailed narratives in terms of the following:

Status of and biotech/GEd regulatory and policy frameworks. 

Components of the regulatory and policy framework in Mozambique collected during the secondary and primary data were retrieved, gathered, assembled, synthesized and packaged into tables to give a perspective of the functionality and preparedness of Mozambique to embrace and adopt GEd technologies.

Projects, crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry and traits ready for commercialization and scaling.

Like regulatory and policy frameworks, biotech and particularly GEd projects, crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry and traits including key stakeholders (partnerships) involved, and sources of funding were documented through secondary and primary data acquisitions. The synthesized and analysed data from GEd projects, crop, livestock, fisheries, forestry and traits were used to further:

1. identify emerging needs to address economic, social and environmental/climate benefits. 

2. provide information on the status of existing human and infrastructures capacities in GEd technologies in Mozambique.

Staple, Indigenous and Commercial crops that need improvement using GEd technology.

The data on GEd projects, crops and traits were further disaggregated (categorized) in terms of those with highest potential that need GEd technology for national socio-economic impact and the possibility of successful completion in view of national acceptance, resource requirements and scalability. 

Institutional capacity (human capital, laboratory and field infrastructure, equipment). During primary data collection, respondents were asked questions on existing institutional capacities in terms of human capital, lab and field infrastructure, equipment to engage in GEd R&D, commercialization and scaling. This information was pooled together to give each institution its data on human capital and infrastructure capacity.

Stakeholder mapping.

Targeted sampling was employed, only selecting individuals knowledgeable and currently engaged in modern Agricultural Biotechnology/ GEd (regulating, policy, R&D and commercialization). Some of these key individuals were identified through 1) secondary data, published literature (scientists), 2) databases of institutional websites (regulators and scientists), and 3) referrals through institutional heads (regulators and scientists) or personal knowledge by the country PI. These individuals are spread across the five (5) stakeholders categories identified in the Questionnaires (Data collection tools), namely, regulatory agencies, research organizations/institutions, universities, private sector/industry and government departments/ministries and policymakers.

Database Systems and Database Management.

The consortium and sponsors of the project had technical backstopping meetings to develop appropriate data collection tools (Questionnaires) and platforms to support primary data collection. The questionnaires were tailor-made and specific to identified and mapped stakeholder categories, namely, regulatory, research, universities, private sector and government platforms and frameworks to produce data sets (data systems) that gauged Mozambique’s preparedness (capabilities) or lack of it to fully embrace, engage and scale up GEd technologies. The data collection tools and platforms were pre-tested before use. 

Data synthesis and statistical analysis. 

Where appropriate (quantitative), data collected was synthesized and statistically analysed using the SPSS package.  Scatter plots were employed to map the projects, crops and traits in a continental interactive map.

Interactive map. 

An interactive map akin to that of the Agenda 2063 dashboard was developed. 

6. Training and Professional Development

Mozambique is strengthening its capacity in genome editing through national regional and international collaborative training programs. The AUDA-NEPAD and other courses/workshops like AfPBA CRISPR Course help to build capacity for regulators, communicators, scientists which will support innovation in agriculture. These efforts aim to integrate modern biotechnology into the country's research and development infrastructure to address food security challenges through innovative crop and animal improvements. Table 5 below gives an overview of training programmes on GEd in Mozambique.

Table 5: Overview of Training Programmes on Genome Editing

7. Status and Needs Assessment of Biosafety Laboratory Facilities by Institution 

The studies identified the status and needs assessment of Biosafety Laboratory Facilities of the selected institutions, and the results are presented in Table 6 below.  The key infrastructure for carrying out GEd research and Development (laboratory, greenhouse and field trial farms) is present in two institutions. The Criteria for determining the laboratory status for BSL-1 and BSL-2 Operations in the different institutions is presented in Annexure A. Limitations were mainly on the regulations, funding and GEd experts in most of the selected institutions. The importation of specialised equipment and sole supplier were avenues to speed up the procurement process. The studies revealed that 3 institutions are fully equipped, and they should be able to collaborate and work in consortiums to develop new products.

Table 6: Status and Needs Assessment of Biosafety Laboratory Facilities by Institution

8. Analysis of Indigenous and Staple Crops, Livestock, Agroforestry, and Fisheries Varieties/ Breeds for Improvement Using GEd 

Mozambique is poised to initiate genome editing research for improving its indigenous and staple crops, livestock, agroforestry, and fisheries varieties/ breeds with its National Biosafety Authority waiting for approval of it guiding framework on GEd. The country has a wide diversity of indigenous and crops, livestock, agroforestry, and fisheries varieties/breeds that need improvement using GEd technology as shown in Table 7 below.

Table 7: Staple and Indigenous crops/Livestock/Forestry and Fisheries that need improvement using GEd technology

There is no GEd research on Livestock, Forestry of fisheries in the country.

9. Analysis of Funding and Investment landscape 

Statistical data from 2024 indicated that Mozambique invested 0.34% of its GDP in research. This reveals that availability of public funding for research is, in general, the major limiting factor and more remarkable for Biotechnology projects, leading to very few initiatives publicly funded in this field. For GMO and GEd research in Mozambique, the funding is very small. Research institutes and Universities find their own mechanisms of funding research in Modern Biotechnology through inter and intra and collaboration between National and international institutions as well as from competitive international grants.

Mozambique has a National Research Funding (FNI) entity responsible for mobilising funds to support research and related infrastructures. The FNI mostly works based on donors' rules, limiting its capacity and capability to embrace special funding programs such as the National Program of Agricultural Biotechnology. Other international competitive grants include Bill Gates Foundation, the European Commission, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) etc.

10. Stakeholder Map and Engagement for Critical Data and High Influence.

Several key stakeholders were identified and mapped in Mozambique to obtain critical primary data and high influence on GEd adoption. 

Regulatory and other Government agencies: Members of the Executive council to NBA and GIIBS

Universities and Teaching institutions: Biotechnology Center of Eduardo Mondlane University, Zambeze University, Pungue University, Lurio University, Rovuma University, Polytechnic Institute of Manica, Polytechnic Institute of Gaza.

National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Centers: National Centre of Biotechnology and Biosciences (CNBB), Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM), Department of Animal Science of IIAM.

Private sector:Corteva Agriscience; Bayer; Syngenta, BASF, Pannar Seeds; Pioneer Seeds; Phoenix Seeds, SEMOC and Oruwera Seed Company,

Government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environmental, Ministry of Health., Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning and Development

These stakeholders were engaged when collecting primary data through live interviews using online data collection kit (ODK) and surveys through emailing of questionnaires. The list of the stakeholders is attached.

11. Analysis of Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Threats 

Considering that Mozambique has not released any GEd product, this section presents the analysis of the factors that can accelerate or limit the implementation of the GEd in the country. To carry out this analysis, the associated Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Threats were identified, as shown in Table 8.

Table 8: Analysis of Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Threats for the Implementation of GEd

The evaluations above indicate that there is a favorable environment for Mozambique to adopt the GEd technology and include it in the main programs to improve production and productivity in Agriculture. 

12. Analysis of Private Sector Participation

The private sector plays a critical, albeit nascent, role in GEd, primarily through innovation in developing specific crops/livestock/forestry or fishery products, forming strategic public-private partnerships (PPPs) to overcome technological and regulatory barriers, and driving the commercialization of resulting products by bridging the gap from research to the smallholder farmer. While private investment is a major force in this domain, successful commercialization hinges on collaborations with public institutions to ensure products meet local needs and are effectively disseminated. Private sector companies in Mozambique rely on their overseas or head office to develop most of their improved crops.  Most often, the local multinational company carry out downstream field trials in the countries where the crops will be introduced. These studies are normally carried out with National research institutions.

The experience from AUDA-NEPAD initiatives in GEd, where the private sector was brought to the table of discussions, has shown that Public Private Partnerships (PPP) can be very effective in introducing new technology in African countries and GEd projects will not be an exception to bridge the gap between privately held technology and improving the yield and quality of our indigenous orphan crops, contributing for the well-being of African citizens through agriculture (Commissão da União Africana, 2015). 

Key private sector seed companies include Phoenix Seeds and Oruwera Seed Company, both supported by the SEEDS project, which aims to increase access to certified seeds and agricultural services for smallholder farmers. Other notable private companies in Mozambique's seed sector include SEMOC and those involved in the InovAgro project. 

13. Management of Intellectual Property Rights in Mozambique.

Mozambique Intellectual property (IPI) manages intellectual property related to agricultural innovation specifically through the implementation of relevant laws and regulations. IPI manages patents, trademarks, and industrial designs, and the National Institute of Book and Disc (INLD) for copyrights. These national bodies administer and enforce IP rights within the country, working within a legal framework aligned with international treaties. Mozambique also participates in the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) for broader regional protection and is involved with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for international standards. . The IPI operates under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. While the government has a strong stance against intellectual property violations, enforcement. can be weak. Mozambique's framework for genome-edited (GEd) crops is guided by Decree No. 71/2014, which regulates the import, use, and research of GMOs, but the country is in the process of approving a dedicated policy and legislation for GEd. Since GEd technology is new, the country has not been able to manage IPR related issues to modern Biotechnology and GEd .

A comprehensive policy plan for genome editing in Mozambique requires both short-term and long-term strategies. Short-term goals should ensure that the draft GEd guideline is approved, capacity building for research and development, and setting aside seed competitive grants to fund GEd projects. Long-term objectives include fostering innovation, investing in infrastructure and equipment, encouraging public-private partnerships, ensuring responsible use of the technology, and promoting its benefits while mitigating potential risks.

Based on the landscape studies, the following recommendations are made to ensure Mozambique reaps the benefit of GEd technology.

• Regulatory frameworks: The NBA has been working closely with AUDA-NEPAD and other stakeholders to develop biosafety guidelines for genome editing. Lobbying and pressure should be put for the draft guideline to be approved.

• Capacity building: Investing in training and education to build local capacity in GEd research, development, and regulation is essential. More researchers should be encouraged to participate in the short-term regional and international specialized CRISPR courses. 

• Infrastructure and relevant equipment: The selected universities, Polytechnique’s and research institutions have the basic molecular Biology laboratories that need to be upgraded to be able to carry out GEd research and innovation. The process will be faster if at least CNBB is upgraded in 2025/26 with specialized high-end infrastructure.

• Funding of strategic GEd project and programs targeting national challenges. Mozambique National Research Funding (FNI) should fund through a competitive process strategic projects and GEd programs.

• Promote Private Sector Participation by encouraging startup incubation programs in agricultural biotechnology and genome editing as well as starting biotech companies targeting public-private partnerships.  Universities and Research institutions must work together to ensure that the private sector is innovative and competitive.

• Networking: Researchers in Mozambique should build their networks and collaborate with international experts in their field. By forming consortiums (e.g. EU funded projects) in executing projects, they will be able to access major funding and training opportunities for their research groups.

• Public participation and consultation: Engaging the public in decision-making processes is crucial for building trust and ensuring that GEd technologies are developed and used in a way that is socially acceptable and beneficial.

• Indigenous and Staple Crops, Livestock, Agroforestry, and Fisheries Varieties/ Breeds for Improvement Using GEd. Priority crops/livestock/agroforestry and fisheries that could be improved using GEd technology has been listed in these studies. Immediately, the guideline is approved, it will be easy for researchers to select their crop of interest based on the socio-economic benefit and start improving these crops..

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Annex 1. List of institutions involved