AUDA-NEPAD launches the 2nd edition APET report on gene drives for malaria control and elimination 

Posted on March 24, 2025
By Charles Mugoya

Regulatory Affairs Manager, Africa
Target Malaria

The African Union (AU) has recognized the potential of gene drive technology, endorsed its development and established a high-level panel in 2017 to foster a conducive environment for research, development of regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder engagement across African Union Member States, while ensuring a collaborative approach to the ongoing fight against malaria.  

With support from the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the African Union published its 1st APET report in 2018 which noted that that, while the existing mosquito control interventions have significantly reduced the burden of malaria across Africa, complementary new interventions were very much needed to drive the residual burden towards zero and eventually achieve malaria elimination on the continent. African countries were urged to invest in the development and regulation of gene drive technology, whose greatest and most urgent application will be in malaria control and elimination.  

To this end, African Union (AU) held a Summit in Addis Ababa from 10 -15 February 2025 in which, AUDA-NEPAD took the opportunity to organize a side event to launch the 2nd APET report. The report provides very useful insights on genetically based vector control tools in general and gene drive in particular.   

The 2nd APET edition report comprises 9 sections that convey messages to update a diverse community of stakeholders on progress and current state of research and development  efforts with recommendations for gene drive technology advancement. 

Strategic recommendations and takeaways of the report 

The report highlights nine strategic recommendations to advance gene drive technology and enhance malaria control efforts in Africa. These include: 

  1. Case-by-Case Project Evaluation: Assess individual gene drive projects to ensure rigorous analysis of feasibility, risks, and alignment with malaria control goals. This approach will facilitate targeted resource allocation and enable tailored risk management strategies. 
  1. Sequential, Milestone-Driven Strategy: Implement a phased strategy to promote sustainable progress, building upon each milestone to strengthen adaptability, manage risks, and foster confidence among stakeholders. This structured approach will ensure the scalable development of gene drive applications.  
  1. Consortium-Led Framework Development: Establish a consortium comprising diverse AU Member States and stakeholders to create a cohesive framework for scaling and testing gene drive technology. This consortium should facilitate cross-sector collaboration and communication from controlled settings to broader field trials.  
  1. Enhance Regulatory and Financial Mechanisms: Work with AUDA-NEPAD to bolster regulatory frameworks and engage stakeholders effectively. Establish sustainable funding sources to support gene drive research and development, drawing on successful models from global initiatives.  
  1. Promote African-Led Commercialization and Innovation: Develop Africa-centered entities to commercialize gene drive technology, utilizing shareholding structures to attract investment from both the public and private sectors, establish an incubator focused on transitioning gene drive research to market-ready applications, fostering leadership roles for African scientists. 
  1. Alignment with AU Agenda 2063 and SDGs: Ensure gene drive initiatives align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (notably Goals 3 and 17), focusing on sustainable malaria control, technology adoption, and capacity-building across Africa.  
  1. Institutional Capacity Building: Invest in capacity-building to enhance the technical and regulatory capabilities of African institutions. Support training programmes, develop comprehensive biosafety manuals, and engage communities to build trust and foster acceptance of gene drive technology.  
  1. Systematic Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain consistent engagement with communities, governments, and health sector partners to increase awareness of gene drive technology’s potential benefits and address concerns. Transparent communication will be critical for fostering public understanding and support.  
  1. Risk Assessment and Regulatory Harmonisation: Ensure harmonisation of biosafety regulations across Africa to support the safe deployment of gene drive technology. Strengthen mechanisms for comprehensive risk assessments and post-deployment monitoring to maintain high safety standards. 

APET believes that the African Union can support the realization of malaria eradication in Africa through an integrated vector management approach that leverages emerging gene drive technologies to reduce malaria transmission and improve economic and public health outcomes across Africa. This framework will also position Africa as a leader in innovative health solutions, promoting sustainable growth and resilience against vector-borne diseases. The report notes that more concerted efforts are needed to advance support towards the research and development of gene drives as an intervention for control and elimination of Malaria.  

To this end, the report calls for all AU Member States, African Union Commission, AUDA-NEPAD and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to work in concert in providing the enabling policies and regulatory frameworks, partnerships, financial and human resources necessary for the success of this technology. Finally, the report recommends that increasing the current malaria control and elimination strategies with gene drives presents an opportunity for Africa to bolster its efforts in the fight against malaria and meet its target as envisaged in the agenda 2063.