AUDA-NEPAD in partnership with the National Biosafety Agency (ANB) in Burkina Faso organised a training workshop to support to the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) on stage 2 dossier review, on December 3 – 5, 2020, in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. In addition to the NBC members, and based on recommendations from previous in-country consultations, the meeting audience was extended to include researchers, faculty members and PhD students. The meeting brought together 25 participants.

A view of participants during the meeting

Amongst the countries piloting the gene drive research in the continent, Burkina Faso has successfully completed the activities in stage 1 of the process nd is now contemplating to commence stage 2. An application has been prepared and submitted to the national regulatory agency, following a successful pre-review by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

In August, AUDA-NEPAD IVM programme, based on a request from the national Biosafety Competent authority, provided support to introduce the IBC members on the application review and decision-making processes. Following this training, the IBC members most of whom were exposed for the first time to such a highly technical exercise, made a recommendation for another opportunity to be provided for deeper familiarization with the processes.

Based on the conclusions of a need assessment conducted recently, training materials were prepared jointly by the AUDA-NEPAD IVM and ANB teams and were used to deliver the present training. Biosafety risk communication principles and stakeholders’ engagement process were also presented, based on practical experience from ANB regulators and the IRSS / Target Malaria. scientists working on genetically modified mosquitoes.

From the discussions during the meeting, it was recommended to AUDA-NEPAD and ANB to keep engaging with the same expanded group so as to consolidate the basis for the national platform on Integrated Vector Management.  and provide support. It was also emphasized to provide support to augment awareness among faculty staff and students at the universities, and to enhance regulatory capacities at the International Centre for Research and Development on Livestock in Sub-humid Zones (CIRDES) which is an international centre headquartered in Bobo-Dioulasso and engaged in vector control research-development..

Participants from the research community recommended that the operationalization of the AUDA-NEPAD centre of excellence on science, technology and innovation is accelerated to effectively boost research-development programmes in the continent. The need for enhanced scientific capacities including lab equipment for emerging technologies was also emphasized.  

AUDA-NEPAD ABNE will continue to fully play its role in the provision of the necessary technical support to help Burkina strengthen its biosafety regulatory capacity to safely harness science and technology, including emerging technologies like the gene drive, for a sustainable development of the country.