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News ArticlesEswatini Launches Legal Mapping and Domestication Planning Process for Biosafety and Biosecurity

Eswatini Launches Legal Mapping and Domestication Planning Process for Biosafety and Biosecurity

Eswatini Launches Legal Mapping and Domestication Planning Process for Biosafety and Biosecurity.Mbabane, Eswatini – May 12-16, 2025: This week marks a key milestone in the advancement of biosafety and biosecurity on the continent, as Eswatini officially launches the legal mapping and domestication planning process under the Africa CDC-led Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative (BBI).

Eswatini joins a growing number of African Union (AU) Member States—including Zimbabwe, , Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Lesotho, Botswana, andZambia—that are taking decisive steps to domesticate legal frameworks for biosafety and biosecurity (BSBS) within their national contexts.

This significant effort is being implemented through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in partnership with the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), with technical and financial support from the Government of Canada and United Kingdom through the G7-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, under the SIMBA (Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa) program.

Over the course of a five-day engagement in Mbabane, stakeholders from across Eswatini will collaborate to produce a draft legal mapping report and a comprehensive domestication plan. This process aims to guide the alignment of national laws and regulations with international standards for biosafety and biosecurity.

Speaking during the opening session, Dr. Talkmore Maruta, ASLM’s Director of Programs, emphasized the urgent need for AU countries to strengthen their legal frameworks in order to meet global biosafety and biosecurity obligations. “There must be sustained advocacy beyond this week’s engagement to ensure that key stakeholders understand the BSBS legislative framework,” he said. “Mobilizing resources and political will is essential for long-term success.”

Dr. Admund Shabangu, Senior Medical Officer Public Health at the Ministry of Health in Eswatini, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the initiative. “Legislation remains a key priority for our ministry and country at large. We are ready to work collectively to develop the necessary guidelines and provide full support for this important agenda,” he said.

Mrs. Idosie Kenfack, BSBS Technical Officer, presented concerning data from the Global Health Security Index (GHSI) 2019, revealing that:

  • 66% of AU Member States lack biosafety policies,
  • 81% have no biosecurity policies, and
  • 99% do not have oversight mechanisms for Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC).

“The Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative was launched to bridge these critical gaps and to confront emerging biological threats,” she said.

She highlighted the initiative’s core priorities:

  • Strengthening national and regional coordination of BSBS initiatives,
  • Developing comprehensive policies and legislation using a One Health approach,
  • Establishing recognized professional training and certification programs in BSBS, and
  • Creating clear guidance for the identification and management of priority pathogens.

As Eswatini embarks on this transformative journey, the country sets a strong example for others across the continent, demonstrating that collective commitment and coordinated action are vital for safeguarding public health and biosecurity.