Strengthening capacities for biotechnology uptake in Africa: an ECA perspective

Abstract

Biotechnology refers to any technique that uses living organisms or substances from living organisms to make or modify a product to improve plants or animals or to develop micro-organisms for specific uses. It represents a gradient of technologies ranging from traditional (such as those related to brewing, fermentation, baking, biological control, artificial insemination and embryo transfer, tissue culture) to modern biotechnology which involves genetic engineering. It has been identified as the leading technology of the 21st century with tremendous potential to solve problems not easily addressed by conventional means. This booklet examines ECA's coordinating role in strengthening the capacity for biotechnology uptake in Africa within the framework of the regional consultation mechanism.