The role of modern biotechnology in the economic transformation and sustainable development of Africa is the subject of increasing debate and controversy. The debate can be traced to the late 1980s but has acquired new dimensions as a result of a variety of factors, including rapid scientific and technological advances, the increasing commercialization of genetically modified foods, increasing food insecurity in Africa, and growth in the activities and influence of environmental activists. Recent famines and hunger in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and the decision by some African governments to reject aid in the form of genetically modified food have moved the debate from the confines of scientific and environmental groups to the center of public policy and politics in the region.

There are two extreme positions that polarize the debate: extreme probiotechnology and extreme antibiotechnology. The extreme probiotechnology groups catalogue potential benefits of the technology and often dismiss any concerns about potential risks. They tend to portray biotechnology as the panacea for food insecurity in Africa. On the other extreme are the antibiotechnology activists, who see no evident benefits, associate all biotechnology with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and therefore link biotechnology with nothing but danger and risk. They would like the development, commercialization, and application of the technology stopped. The stark contrast between these two views has left many African policymakers and sections of the public uncertain about how to proceed because reliable information and guidance is lacking. Increasing uncertainty and confusion is evident in the responses of many African governments to a wide range of social, ethical, environmental, trade, and economic issues associated with the development and application of modern biotechnology. This confusion is likely to deny African countries opportunities to derive benefits from the technology while minimizing the associated risks. African countries need to be in a position to make informed choices and establish policies and strategies to respond judiciously to developments associated with biotechnology. They should not continue to react to agendas set by interest groups in other regions of the world.

Two new initiatives are seeking ways to build an informed policy dialogue. The Council of Ministers of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) decided in July 2002 to establish a subregional advisory committee on biotechnology. The committee provides advice to countries of the subregion on issues associated with biotechnology and proposes ways to harmonize their policies and regulations. The work of this committee may enable SADC countries to develop and adopt a proactive strategy to respond to issues raised by biotechnology.

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) has called for the creation of an African platform on biotechnology. It articulates two interrelated goals for the platform:

1. to "generate a critical mass of technological expertise in targeted areas that offer high growth potential" from biotechnology, and
2. to "harness biotechnology in order to develop Africa's rich biodiversity" as well as "improving agricultural productivity and developing pharmaceutical products."

To realize these goals, African countries will need first and foremost to build common consensus and strategies on how best to ensure that they maximize benefits from the technology while at the same time addressing the potential environmental, health, ethical, and economic risks or concerns emerging with rapid advances in biotechnology.

NEPAD has recognized that the absence of African consensus and strategy with regard to biotechnology allows different interest groups to exploit uncertainty in policymaking, regardless of what may be the objective situation or the best approach for Africa.

NEPAD and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) have established a regional platform, the African Policy Dialogues on Biotechnology, through which African countries will be able to engage in dialogue and develop a common biotechnology strategy. In southern Africa, the Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) will be a key partner. The platform will provide a structured regional process for dialogue, consensus formation, and the development and adoption of common policies and strategies on biotechnology. The organization and management of the activities of the platform will require high-level technical and administrative oversight.

The proposed process of policy dialogue and consultation is expected to result in the following set of outputs:

1. increased understanding among key national and regional policymakers and policy shapers regarding major developments and applications in biotechnology in Africa, including significant gaps and priority constraints;
2. greater awareness, dialogue, and consensus among key national and regional policymakers and policy shapers on the critical policy trade-offs associated with GMOs in Africa;
3. greater awareness, dialogue, and consensus among key national and regional policymakers and policy shapers on alternative institutional and organizational arrangements governing biotechnology, and on the potential consequences of national and regional responses to crises and insecurity;
4. consensus recommendations (ideally in the form of a resolution or declaration) to enhance the ability of national and regional policies, programs, and regulations governing biotechnology products to spur growth and food security while ensuring the protection of human health and the environment; and
5. an action plan for investment that will strengthen institutions and policies governing biotechnology in Africa, including an agenda for regional research, capacity strengthening, and outreach.

The first roundtable meeting of the African Policy Dialogues on Biotechnology took place in Johannesburg on April 25-26, 2003. The next meeting is planned for September 20-22, 2004, and will be devoted to two themes identified as key during the first session, namely, biosafety and intellectual property protection. Two background papers on biosafety and intellectual property protection are being prepared to guide the dialogue.

Similar roundtable meetings are planned for eastern, western, central, and northern Africa under the aegis of NEPAD's Science and Technology Forum, beginning in 2005.