NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) and Senegal’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) have decided to work together more to regulate genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their respective nations.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority, Dr. Ann Karimi, emphasised the significance of creating Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) among biosafety regulators throughout Africa to improve cooperation in GMO regulation while speaking in Nairobi to a delegation from Senegal.
“These Memoranda of Understanding are crucial, particularly in the area of risk assessment, which is conducted on a case-by-case basis. Such collaboration will be guided by Kenya’s Data Transportability Policy, which has already been developed,” said Dr. Karimi.
She welcomed the Senegalese delegation, noting that the visit provides an opportunity to share Kenya’s experience in establishing and implementing a functional national biosafety regulatory system.
“Your visit comes at an important time when African countries are increasingly recognising the role of modern biotechnology in addressing food security, climate change, crop diseases and pests, environmental protection, and sustainable agricultural transformation. At the same time, our countries have a shared responsibility to ensure that biotechnology is developed, transferred, handled, and used safely, responsibly, and in accordance with national laws and international obligations,” said Dr. Karimi.
Kenya and Senegal strengthening their cooperation
She noted that Kenya and Senegal share many common development aspirations.
“Both countries are committed to strengthening agricultural productivity, protecting biodiversity, supporting innovation, and building public confidence in science-based decision-making. This engagement therefore provides an excellent opportunity for peer learning, the exchange of experiences, and the strengthening of cooperation between our institutions,” she added.
The National Biosafety Authority was established under the Biosafety Act, 2009, with the mandate to exercise general supervision and control over the transfer, handling, and use of genetically modified organisms in Kenya.
“Over the years, Kenya has developed a robust national biosafety framework that includes laws, regulations, institutional structures, technical review processes, risk assessment mechanisms, monitoring and compliance systems, public awareness programmes, and stakeholder engagement platforms,” said Dr. Karimi.
She added that the Authority is pleased to share Kenya’s biosafety journey with Senegal, including the progress made, lessons learned, and challenges encountered in implementing biosafety governance.
“Our experience demonstrates that an effective biosafety system requires strong legislation, technical capacity, institutional coordination, transparency, public participation, credible communication, and sustained political and financial support,” she said.
Collaboration between relevant biosafety institutions
Dr. Karimi noted that the benchmarking visit will benefit both countries while contributing to stronger biosafety systems across Africa.
“As institutions mandated to oversee biosafety, there is immense value in collaboration between the National Biosafety Authority of Kenya and the relevant biosafety institutions in Senegal. Potential areas of cooperation include technical exchange, capacity building, information sharing, joint training, regulatory cooperation, public awareness initiatives, participation in regional and international biosafety processes, and the sharing of experiences in implementing the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety,” she said.
Senegal’s Director General of the National Biosafety Authority, Prof. Aliou Ndiaye, who was accompanied by Dr. Colonel Lamine Kane, Secretary General, and Aïssatou Ndiaye, Executive Secretary, observed that the rapid advancement of modern and emerging biotechnologies has become a global reality.
“Consequently, African countries must embrace this global reality to fully benefit from the ongoing biotechnological transformation in agriculture, health, and environmental management,” said Prof. Ndiaye.
To maximise the advantages of contemporary and new biotechnologies and their applications, he underlined the significance of ongoing capacity building within the two institutions.
The Senegalese biosafety group tour of Kenya
The Senegalese group will see important GMO testing and biosafety monitoring facilities at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) as part of the benchmarking visit.
The group will learn about genetically modified potato types that are being tested to increase yields and strengthen disease resistance at KALRO-Muguga. Additionally, the party will visit KALRO-Kandara, where genetically modified cassava research is being conducted.
Kenya’s experience in creating biosafety legal, policy, and institutional frameworks will be shared; knowledge on GMO application review, risk assessment, decision-making, inspection, and post-approval monitoring will be shared; and the role of GMO testing laboratories in biosafety regulation and trade facilitation will be demonstrated.
Additionally, confined field trial management practices will be showcased; and priority areas for collaboration, capacity building, and potential formal cooperation between the two countries will be identified.
Kenya’s national focal point for carrying out the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is the National Biosafety Authority. Kenya ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2003 after signing it in 2000.
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