Africa

Uganda National Bureau of Standards representatives and ARSO officials during the 31st ARSO General Assembly in Zanzibar

Uganda strengthens continental standards leadership with ARSO, ISO Council endorsements

Africa, News, Standards, Testing & Compliance /

UGANDA – Uganda has expanded its influence in African and international standardization following a series of elections at the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) General Assembly held in Zanzibar.  The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) secured three leadership positions during the 31st ARSO General Assembly under the theme “Accelerating

Uganda strengthens continental standards leadership with ARSO, ISO Council endorsements Read More »

Kenya to implement animal identification, traceability system to boost livestock management

Africa, Innovation & Technology, News /

KENYA – The Kenyan government is preparing to implement a new Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANTITRAC) as part of efforts to improve livestock management, enhance productivity, and address theft in the sector.   Speaking during the official opening of the Nambale livestock sale yard in Busia County on Wednesday,

Kenya to implement animal identification, traceability system to boost livestock management Read More »

FAO and EU project boosts food safety and plant health systems in 12 African Union member states

EU-Funded FAO project strengthens food safety, phytosanitary systems in 12 African countries

Africa, News, Standards, Testing & Compliance /

AFRICA – A European Union-funded project has concluded after three years, recording progress in strengthening food control and phytosanitary systems across 12 African Union Member States.   The project was implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat. 

EU-Funded FAO project strengthens food safety, phytosanitary systems in 12 African countries Read More »

Researchers test South Africa’s water sources for pathogens to improve food safety standards

Researchers warn of hidden pathogens threatening South Africa’s food safety

Africa, News, Science & Research /

SOUTH AFRICA – Bacterial pathogens and multidrug-resistant organisms are threatening food safety in South Africa’s fresh produce sector, according to recent research led by scientists at the University of Pretoria and the Water Research Commission.    The team has found high levels of Escherichia coli and multidrug-resistant bacteria in surface

Researchers warn of hidden pathogens threatening South Africa’s food safety Read More »

Kenya bans 77 pesticides, restricts 202 others in major agrochemical review

Africa, News, Standards, Testing & Compliance /

KENYA – Kenya has withdrawn 77 pesticide products from the market and restricted the use of an additional 202 in a regulatory overhaul aimed at strengthening food safety and environmental protection.    Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced the measures following a comprehensive review by the Pest Control Products Board

Kenya bans 77 pesticides, restricts 202 others in major agrochemical review Read More »

Africa launches first global standard for Good Research Management Practice

Africa, News, Standards, Testing & Compliance /

AFRICA – Africa has published the first international standard for Good Research Management Practice (GRMP), setting a new global benchmark for research governance, ethics, and institutional development.    The announcement was made during the 31st General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) held in Zanzibar, Tanzania.   The

Africa launches first global standard for Good Research Management Practice Read More »

Hackathons, funding initiatives target food safety challenges in Africa, near East

Africa, Innovation & Funding, News /

AFRICA – Stakeholders across the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region are being invited to participate in a regional hackathon aimed at developing localized food safety solutions.    Organized under the Regional Food Safety Research Network and Innovation Hub (RFSRINH), the event will take place in September in Riyadh,

Hackathons, funding initiatives target food safety challenges in Africa, near East Read More »

Karpolax co-founders Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita holding the Young Inventors Prize award at the EPO 2025 ceremony in Reykjavík

Ugandan start-up wins 2025 Young Inventors Prize for plant-based fruit preservation sachet

Africa, News, Sustainability /

UGANDA – Two Ugandan entrepreneurs are among the recipients of the 2025 Young Inventors Prize, organized by the European Patent Office (EPO).    Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita, co-founders of Karpolax, were recognized under the “Community Healers” category for their development of a biodegradable sachet that extends the shelf life

Ugandan start-up wins 2025 Young Inventors Prize for plant-based fruit preservation sachet Read More »

EU Ambassador and TBS officials during the official handover of laboratory equipment at TBS headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Tanzania enhances national quality infrastructure with EU-funded lab equipment delivery

Africa, News, Standards, Testing & Compliance /

TANZANIA – The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has received a major equipment upgrade at its headquarters in Dar es Salaam following the official handover of advanced laboratory tools from the European Union (EU).    The delivery forms part of the QUALITAN Project, an EU-funded initiative aimed at improving Tanzania’s

Tanzania enhances national quality infrastructure with EU-funded lab equipment delivery Read More »

Wild spinach growing in Central Asia, linked to Fusarium wilt resistance in WSU study

Wild spinach from Central Asia offers genetic shield against soil fungus threatening USA seed crops

Africa, News, Science & Research /

USA – Researchers at Washington State University (WSU) have identified several wild spinach varieties from Central Asia that show strong natural resistance to Fusarium oxysporum – the soil-borne fungus responsible for Fusarium wilt, a persistent threat to commercial spinach seed production in the United States. Fusarium wilt has long posed

Wild spinach from Central Asia offers genetic shield against soil fungus threatening USA seed crops Read More »