BIOSECURITY EXPERT URGES GOVERNMENTS TO SCALE UP FUNDING FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The ABCI is a member of the African Biological Safety Association (AfBSA) which is one of the members of the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium (AGBC).

African governments have been called upon to scale up funding for scientific research.

Professor Toure Mahama, President of the Cote d’ Ivoire Biosecurity Association (ABCI), noted that increased investments will lead to development. 

Currently, many governments allocate below two percent of their budgets for research.

Kenya allocates two percent to scientific research, while Ivory Coast allocates one percent.

“Governments should understand that if you want to be strong, carry out research,” he said during a visit to the African Genetic Biocontrol Offices in Nairobi.

“If you do not do research, you will never be able to deal with your local problems.”

He described the research landscape in Africa as lacking in investments, urging researchers to be innovative to get the work done.

“This is a general problem in Africa. There is no money for research,” he observed, advising that “If you wait for funding before embarking on research, you will never begin. Avoid talking about projects, instead discuss activities. In other words, do not rely on project funding.”

“In Cote d’ Ivoire, research allocation should be one percent, but there’s always a different priority.”

He also called for emphasis on training, citing the South Korean example, a country that excelled because of knowledge transfer which improved the economy.

Professor Toure is a certified auditor with the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA)  and was in 2013 accorded the Biosafety Hero award by the International Biosafety Association.

The African Biological Safety Association (AfBSA), whose current president (2025-2027) is Dr. Larbi Baassi of Morocco, congregates practitioners of biological safety for the promotion of biosafety and biosecurity and to facilitate the sharing of biosafety and biosecurity information in the African region.

Other board members are as follows:

1. Dr. Larbi Baassi – President (Morocco)
2. Dr. Charles Quaye – Vice President (Ghana)
3. Dr. John Kuot Diing – Secretary General (South Sudan)
4. Mr. Hillary Imire – Treasurer (Kenya)
5. Dr. Augustine Ondeme – Council Member (Gabon)
6. Ms. Vimbai Grace Mukondiwa – Council Member (Zimbabwe)
7. Dr. Stella Ngiozi Udo – Council Member (Nigeria)
8. Dr. Ali Asy – Council Member (Egypt)
9. Dr. Gordon Mpamize – Council Member (Uganda)
10. Dr. Martin Bundi – Outgoing President (Kenya)

Dr. Willy Tonui – Founding President (Kenya)