Advancing microbial ecology, microbiomes, and One Health in Africa: From regional initiatives to pan-African flagship programs.
Hijri M, Aliyat FZ, Legeay J, Lee SJ, Idbella M
Soil Health
Soil microbes in African ecosystems represent an almost untapped reservoir for naturally derived fertilizers and crop-protecting compounds that could reduce chemical inputs in gardens and farms worldwide.
Tiny organisms — bacteria and fungi — living in African soils and ecosystems hold enormous potential for improving how crops grow and resisting disease, but African scientists have been underfunded and fragmented in their research efforts. A group of researchers met in Morocco to map out a plan for Africa to lead its own microbe science, rather than relying on outside countries to do it for them. Better understanding these microbes could mean more productive farms, new medicines, and healthier ecosystems across the continent.
Key Findings
African microbiome research remains fragmented with limited collaboration between African institutions and heavy reliance on external (non-African) funding and leadership.
Africa's microbial diversity offers significant untapped potential for antibiotic discovery, improved crop productivity, and climate-resilient agriculture.
Key priorities include building Africa-specific genome reference datasets, establishing pan-continental research consortia, and integrating microbiome science into agricultural and health policy frameworks.
chevron_right Technical Summary
African scientists are calling for a coordinated, continent-wide effort to study the microbes living in soils, crops, and ecosystems — research that could unlock new antibiotics, boost food security, and build more climate-resilient agriculture across Africa and beyond.
Abstract Preview
Microbial ecology and microbiome science are increasingly central to global "One Health" efforts, a framework that recognizes the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment. In A...
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