The concept of controlling and eliminating malaria in Africa through the use of gene drive mosquitoes is gaining momentum. Since this technology is still in development, it might take a decade before it can be used across the continent. Due to its novelty, many African countries lack clear regulatory frameworks that would allow for the development or testing of gene drive mosquitoes. African regulators and policymakers need to prepare appropriate frameworks to facilitate the development, testing and evaluation of this technology for malaria control and elimination in Africa. 

In an effort towards strengthening the governance capacity of African institutions on malaria vector control based on genetics, AFIDEP through the Health Tech Platform is hosting a symposium on ‘Regulating the Use of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes for Malaria Control in Africa’ on the 28th of September 2022 at the eighth Annual Conference & Exhibition of the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA). 

Topics and speakers: 

The sensible governance of induced genetic variation – Dr Jan-Hendrik Groenewald, Executive Manager, Biosafety South Africa, South Africa 

Strengthening regulatory capacity on genetic-based vector control in Africa – Professor Dorington O. Ogoyi, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University of Kenya 

Novel approaches for malaria vector control in Africa – Professor Charles Mbogo, Head, Vector Public Health Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kenya 

Issues in the regulation of genetically modified mosquitoes in Africa – Dr Agha Ukpai Agha, Head of Biosecurity Department, National Biosafety Management Agency, Nigeria