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In January 2024, Nigeria became the second country in Africa to approve the commercial release of four biotech (TELA) maize varieties.

FAS Accra observes Ghana making appreciable advancements in the field of plant biotechnology (biotech). The country is expanding its agricultural biotech crops developmental and production capabilities.

Ghana continues to demonstrate its conviction that proven science-based advanced technologies remain viable options in the global efforts to achieve food security in the face of various production constraints like climate change.

In January 2024, Nigeria approved the commercial release of four TELA maize varieties, which have been genetically engineered for improved insect-resistance and drought-tolerance. In addition to South Africa, Nigeria has become the second country in...

Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) on Friday September 15, 2023, approved the Bt cowpea event 245F (Cry2Ab) for environmental release.

In July 2023, President Tinubu declared an "immediate state of emergency on food insecurity" to address high food prices and lackluster agricultural production. Nigeria is considered by some in Africa to be a leader in agricultural biotechnology as it has researched, tested, evaluated, and commercialized several biotech products, including cowpea, a staple crop for smallholder farmers across West Africa.

The impacts of climate change are beginning to manifest on the entire globe and particularly on developing countries like Ghana. The country is vulnerable to rising sea levels, droughts, increasing temperatures and erratic rainfall which adversely impacts infrastructure, hydropower production, food security and coastal and agricultural livelihoods.

Nigeria has taken an increasingly active role in biotechnology research and development in Africa – spurred by the solid support of the Government of Nigeria (GON). In September 2022, Nigeria hosted regulators from Mozambique and Ethiopia to learn more about Nigeria’s biotechnology regulatory experience.

Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority has eventually given the green light for the environmental release and placement on the market of the pod borer resistant (PBR) or Bt. Cowpea.

Ghana's National Biosafety Authority approved the release of the GE crop BT Cowpea into the environment and market, marking the first GE crop to be approved for use in Ghana. The approval lasts for ten years and is renewable.

Nigeria continues to deliver notable achievements in biotechnology research and development – spurred by strong support of the Government of Nigeria (GON).

Though momentum towards environmental release of the Bt cowpea seems to have slowed down, approval remains inevitable. Dossier on Nitrogen Use Efficient (NUE) rice is ready for submission.