Nyamata, Rwanda – 8–15 October 2025

The Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), has successfully concluded a week-long expert training workshop aimed at strengthening the country’s biosafety regulatory system and advancing its regulatory framework. This training was organized by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) in partnership with AUDA-NEPAD and the Agricultural and Food Systems Institute (AFSI). The workshop brought together 25 experts, including members of the National Biosafety Committee (NBC), and key stakeholders to enhance knowledge, technical skills, and regulatory capacity.

This initiative comes in the wake of Law n° 025/2024 on biosafety and the approval of key implementing Orders, reflecting Rwanda’s commitment to safely managing modern biotechnology while protecting human health, the environment, and socio-economic interests, food safety.

The workshop focused on:

• Establishing a functional biosafety secretariat within REMA.

• Training regulators and secretariat staff on biosafety administration, risk assessment, risk management, and data transportability.

• Reviewing and adopting biosafety administrative tools, including templates for risk assessment reports, recommendations, and decision documents.

• Enhancing Rwanda’s preparedness for handling applications for environmental release of genetically modified crops, such as maize, potato, and cassava.

Through interactive exercises and practical sessions, participants developed competencies in assessing environmental and food safety risks, managing regulatory obligations, and making informed biosafety decisions. Specialized sessions also covered advanced topics such as genome editing, stacked genes, and international regulatory norms.

By equipping biosafety regulators with knowledge, tools, and operational procedures, the workshop directly contributes to the effective implementation of Law n° 025/2024. 

“This workshop is a significant milestone in Rwanda’s biosafety journey. It ensures that our regulatory framework is not only compliant with the law but also capable of supporting the safe and sustainable adoption of biotechnology”- said Akimpaye Beata, Division Manager (DM) of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Division at Rwanda Environment Management Authority

She also acknowledged the valuable support of AUDA-NEPAD and the Agricultural and Food Systems Institute (AFSI) for facilitating the workshop and fostering knowledge sharing among experts, noting that such collaboration is vital to strengthening Rwanda’s biosafety regulatory framework and building regional expertise.

The training workshop also strengthened regional collaboration, with AUDA-NEPAD and AFSI providing technical guidance and supporting knowledge transfer. The initiative aligns with Africa Union Agenda 2063, contributing to inclusive growth, sustainable development, and regional expertise in biosafety regulation.

About Biosafety in Rwanda

Rwanda’s Biosafety Law n° 025/2024 establishes an adequate level of protection in the safe transfer, handling, and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology.

The law ensures that biotechnology development and use do not adversely affect the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, while also safeguarding human health and socio-economic interests.

Under this framework, all biosafety-related activities including import, export, research, or environmental release of LMOs require an official permit.

 Applications for such permits are submitted through the established biosafety regulatory process managed by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

To help the public and stakeholders better understand the principles and procedures of biosafety regulation, REMA has prepared a comprehensive resource: Read more:
Frequently Asked Questions on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)a detailed guide adapted to Rwanda’s biosafety context and aligned with international best practice.