Genome editing signals a new era in African livestock

AFRICA – Africa is embracing genome editing (GnEd) to revolutionize livestock production, with science-led innovation driving improvements in animal health, productivity, and climate resilience, marking a significant turning point for the continent’s agricultural transformation.

Speaking at the International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR) conference in Ghent, Belgium, Dr. Margaret Karembu, Director of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) AfriCenter, said Africa’s adoption of genome editing signals “a new era for animal agriculture on the continent.”

“Genome editing offers unprecedented opportunities to address long-standing challenges such as heat stress, disease outbreaks, and low productivity among indigenous breeds,” she said. 

“What is exciting is that several African countries are now developing clear, science-based regulatory pathways to guide these innovations safely to market.”

Regulatory momentum gains pace

Seven African countries have already initiated regulatory processes for genome-edited livestock, with Kenya becoming the first to issue a regulatory determination for genome-edited cattle, a heat-tolerant breed developed to withstand the rising temperatures linked to climate change.

Dr. Karembu noted that regulators across the continent are increasingly adopting a product-based approach, in which oversight focuses on the final product’s novelty and risk profile rather than the method used to produce it. 

“This approach is more efficient because it focuses regulatory attention where it truly matters — on potential new risks,” she explained.

The African Union’s Policy Framework for Genome Editing Applications is also advancing regional harmonization. 

The framework offers a blueprint for developing coherent policies, streamlined regulatory systems, and aligned investments across the 55 AU member states. 

This alignment is expected to reduce duplication, improve developers’ predictability, and facilitate regional trade in livestock and related products.

Experts say these developments could accelerate innovation timelines, lower costs for developers, and boost investor confidence. 

Genome editing, which allows scientists to make precise, targeted changes in an organism’s DNA, could help African farmers breed animals that are more resistant to heat, disease, and parasites, while also improving feed efficiency and productivity.

Building trust and capacity

While progress has been rapid, Dr. Karembu warned that success depends on sustained stakeholder engagement and effective communication.

“Persistent misinformation continues to undermine public trust in biotechnology,” she said. “We must invest in science communication and create spaces for dialogue that connect scientists, farmers, policymakers, and the public. Only then can Africa fully benefit from these transformative tools.”

She urged governments and research institutions to align investments, communication strategies, and policies under the One Health approach, integrating animal, human, and environmental health, to ensure that genome editing contributes to a resilient and sustainable livestock sector.

A global spotlight on bio-innovation

The ISBR 2025 conference, where Dr. Karembu made her remarks, also spotlighted themes crucial to bio-innovation, including science communication, capacity building, sustainability, risk analysis, and global regulation. 

Other discussions covered gene drives, genetically modified crops, genome editing in plants, and agricultural biologics, highlighting the growing role of biotechnology in shaping food systems worldwide.

As African countries continue to build regulatory and scientific capacity, genome editing could become a cornerstone of the continent’s livestock revolution, offering a pathway to climate-smart agriculture, stronger rural economies, and greater food security.

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