Research and Other Publications
Developing Effective Environmental Laws and Policies
Developing Legal Frameworks Governing Access to Genetic Resources in Africa
In partnership with African scholars, activists, and officials, ELI has developed a comparative analysis of legal, policy, and institutional systems that govern access to genetic resources and benefit sharing in Africa. Through this project, ELI and its partners profiled twelve countries that represent different legal, biological, and cultural climates throughout Africa. These countries include Angola, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal, the Seychelles, South Africa, and Uganda. The profiles emphasize lessons learned from ongoing and past laws and practices.
This comparative analysis formed the core of a book published in partnership with the African Union on access to genetic resources in Africa, “African Perspectives on Genetic Resources: A Handbook on Laws, Policies and Institutions Governing Access and Benefit Sharing.” Drawing from the country experiences, this book analyzes different mechanisms for guaranteeing effective access to genetic resources while protecting indigenous knowledge and communities and ensuring that an equitable share of the benefits flows back to the communities. The book also examines the relevance of these lessons to current and emerging international regimes governing access to genetic resources, including those of the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
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