The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has stepped up preparation for the upcoming NBA International Scientific Conference scheduled for 1–4 February 2027 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The conference, themed ‘From Innovation to Impact: Harnessing Safe Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture, Health and environment’, will bring together scientists, researchers, policymakers, regulators, academia, industry players, development partners, farmers, civil society, and other stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to explore the opportunities and challenges presented by modern biotechnology.
NBA Board Chairman, David Wamatsi, chaired a planning committee meeting in Nairobi where the Authority invited scientists, researchers, policymakers, regulators, industry players, academia and other stakeholders to submit abstracts, register posters and participate in exhibitions.
Importantly, the conference will focus on five thematic areas including biotechnology for food security and nutrition; emerging technologies beyond GMOs; responsive biosafety regulation; climate resilience and biodiversity conservation; and building public trust through communication and stakeholder engagement.
Further, participants will have an opportunity to present research on innovations such as gene editing, synthetic biology, climate-resilient crops, biotechnology regulation, environmental risk assessment, and effective science communication.
Abstract submissions close on 15th November 2026, while registration for participants, posters and exhibitions closes on 31st December 2026. An early-bird discount of 10 percent will be available to participants and exhibitors who register and pay the applicable fees by 30th November 2026.
During the meeting, Wamatsi underscored the importance of establishing a harmonised regulatory framework for modern biotechnology across African countries to facilitate its safe adoption, promote scientific innovation, and strengthen regional cooperation.
He noted that aligned regulatory approaches would help countries share scientific knowledge, build institutional capacity, and address emerging biosafety issues more effectively while safeguarding human and animal health and protecting the environment.
Additionally, Wamatsi observed that the conference would provide African countries with an important platform to learn from the experiences of nations such as China, Argentina, Brazil, and the United States of America, among others, which have made significant strides in the development, application, and regulation of modern biotechnology.
“Learning from these countries would enable African policymakers and regulators to draw lessons on effective regulatory systems, technological advancement, and the responsible application of biotechnology to address challenges in agriculture, food security, and health,” he added.
The Chairman further established that Kenya is increasingly positioning itself as a regional hub for modern biotechnology and biosafety regulation.
He emphasised that strengthening cooperation among African countries and developing harmonised legal and regulatory frameworks would be critical to unlocking the potential of biotechnology, facilitating regional trade, encouraging research and innovation, and supporting sustainable economic development.
To this regard, Wamatsi insisted that effective regulation should go hand in hand with scientific advancement to ensure that modern biotechnology is developed and applied responsibly.
He also stressed the need for science-based decision-making, transparent regulatory processes, and meaningful stakeholder engagement to build public confidence and promote informed discussions on biotechnology.
On her part, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Ann Karimi, who accompanied the Chairman during the meeting, also underscored the importance of the conference, noting that it would provide a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and capacity building among biotechnology experts and regulatory institutions.
Dr. Karimi reiterated that bringing together diverse stakeholders would help strengthen partnerships between regulators, researchers, policymakers, and industry players while promoting a shared understanding of the role of biosafety in the responsible application of modern biotechnology.
She emphasised the importance of ensuring that scientific innovations translate into practical solutions that support sustainable agriculture, improve health outcomes, and contribute to food and nutrition security.
Meanwhile, the conference is expected to provide a platform for deliberations on emerging biotechnology innovations, biosafety regulatory frameworks, risk assessment and management, biotechnology applications in agriculture and health, and strategies for strengthening public awareness and stakeholder participation.
As preparations gather momentum, NBA aims to position the conference as a leading platform for scientific dialogue and regional cooperation, reinforcing the importance of safe, responsible, and sustainable biotechnology development in Africa.
Through the conference, the Authority seeks to contribute to informed policy discussions, strengthen regulatory collaboration, and promote the responsible harnessing of biotechnology to address Africa’s development priorities.
by Michael Omondi
