Sustainable Biosecurity and Biosafety in Africa

This project builds on previous Canadian-funded work and supports achieving the objectives laid out in the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)’s Biosafety and Biosecurity 5-year Strategic Plan (2021 to 2025). This is in support of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction’s Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa. Project activities include: (1) implementing a Biosafety and Biosecurity legal framework for Africa; (2) supporting the operation of Regional Biosafety and Biosecurity Technical Working Groups; (3) developing a regulatory and certification framework for institutions handling high consequence agents and toxins; and (4) increasing human-resources capacity at Africa CDC.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) strengthened capacity across Africa to prevent detect and respond to biological threats and incidents whether deliberate accidental or naturally caused; (2) increased awareness of and adherence to biosafety and biosecurity requirements by African Union Member States; (3) enhanced coordination monitoring and implementation of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s Biosafety and Biosecurity Strategic Plan among African countries; and (4) increased knowledge and expertise in biosafety and biosecurity among African Union Member States.