EU launches 42-month project to support the strengthening of Biosafety and Biosecurity in East and Central Africa

Countries in the Eastern and Central African region have undertaken significant measures to address the challenges posed by biological risks. In most countries, legislation and/or regulations have been developed and biosafety committees or frameworks are in place. However, a number of gaps still remain with regards to legal frameworks, biological sciences advancements, and key areas like facility security, agent detection, and waste management.

In spite of challenges, the progress made by countries in the region to advance biosafety and biosecurity risk mitigation demonstrates an unwavering commitment to protecting humans, animals and the environment from such CBRN hazards.

One-Health approach and enhanced cross-border cooperation

As part of its mission to advance CBRN risk mitigation and enhance security and safety worldwide, the European Union has launched a 42-month project that will support the strengthening of biosafety and biosecurity capabilities in East and Central Africa.

Established in the context of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative, the project will engage 11 countries in the region to enhance the detection and mitigation of risks associated with biological materials or agents, as well as risks linked to installations or sites. The participating countries, grouped in the EU CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for Eastern and Central Africa, are: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia.

Scheduled to last until June 2026, comprising a 6-month phase I and a 36-month phase II, the project is aimed at increasing national and regional capacity of the partner countries in protecting humans, animals and environment from accidental or intentional release of pathogens based on a One-Health approach and enhanced regional and international cooperation.

The project encompasses work packages related to national legislation and gap identification, awareness raising on biosafety and biosecurity, risk assessments, contingency and response plans, as well as waste management, among others.

Funded by the European Union, the project is implemented by a consortium led by Expertise France, and comprising Liège University, RIVM, SCJS Europe and ISEM Institute.

What objectives will the project support?

The project ‘Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity capabilities in East and Central Africa’ will support the achievement of the following objectives, among others:

1. The strengthening of the legislative framework in the partner countries in compliance with international requirements and regulations
2. The development and implementation of risk assessments methods for biosafety and biosecurity in the partner countries
3. The establishment of a Biorisk Management System to reduce biological risks in laboratories/facilities at national and regional levels
4. The establishment of a framework for Dual Use Research of Concern to reduce proliferation risks
5. The enhancing of biological waste management to reduce public health risks

Visit the project’s page for a complete overview of its context, scope, or major activities.

EU CBRN Risk Mitigation: Building a safer and more secure world

The European Union funds the project ‘Strengthening CBRN medical emergency preparedness and response in Southeast Asia’ within the framework of the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence EU CBRN CoE. Supported through the NDICI – Global Europe instrument, the Initiative represents the EU’s largest civilian external security programme.

Funded and implemented by the European Union, with the support of UNICRI, the EU CBRN CoE is working to build a safer and more secure world.

The EU CBRN CoE brings together 64 Partner Countries across 8 regions that cooperate at regional and international level to strengthen CBRN risk mitigation and to promote a global culture of safety and security. Since the Initiative’s inception in 2010, more than 100 EU-funded projects have been implemented to support the mitigation of and preparedness to CBRN risks.

Visit the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation page to learn more about the EU CBRN CoE and other EU flagship initiatives strengthening CBRN safety and security worldwide.