The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) is a Pan-African initiative focusing on improving food systems and conservation through genomics, and ensuring data- and benefit- sharing. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) seeks to reduce threats to biodiversity while ensuring its sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits. AfricaBP’s objectives and activities align with the goals of the KMGBF. However, implementing genomics research across Africa presents unique ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) and benefits. Here, we explore the alignment between the AfricaBP and KMGBF, focusing on the potential for genomics to ethically drive biodiversity conservation and food security across Africa. We examine ELSI related challenges and opportunities associated with implementing the KMGBF. In response to these challenges, and to strengthen AfricaBP’s capacity to implement the KMGBF goals, we make recommendations such as the creation of clear policy and legal frameworks, implement transparent monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and ensure interoperability of key regulatory instruments in biodiversity conservation. We also discuss how AfricaBP integrates theory of change in its activities to enhance the implementation of the KMGBF by strengthening biodiversity data infrastructure, creating awareness, understanding access and benefit-sharing and KMGBF through roundtable meetings, non-systematic questionnaire development and analysis. Finally, we highlight how to scale up these recommendations for long-term impacts and sustainable biodiversity conservation across Africa.
Katee et al. (Fri,) studied this question.