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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.

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...

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.

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.

With international funding to develop and implement biosafety regulatory systems drying up in 2019, Caribbean biosafety regulatory efforts remain in idle mode. The region is seeking further funding from the United Nations Environmental Program/Global...

In December 2020, the Government of Nigeria through the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) authorized guidelines on gene editing.

Since the commercial release of Bt Cowpea in January 2019, Nigeria biotech regulatory authorities are forging ahead with other approvals.

Many Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States have undertaken efforts to comply with their obligations under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) to the Convention on Biological Diversity....

Nigeria approves in January 2019, the commercial release of Pod-Borer Resistant Cowpea (PBRCowpea) event AAT709A. It also approves Bt. Cotton for commercialization....

Many Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States have engaged in efforts to comply with their obligations under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) to the Convention on Biological Diversity....

Nigeria established the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in 2015 to regulate the country’s bio-technology law and provide oversight for utilizing and commercializing biotechnolog....

Biotech regulations have been virtually non-existent in the Caribbean. However, that may change in the years ahead....