Dig into the Data
Beginning in the early 1990s, public-private partnerships were suggested as a way to bridge the gap between private technology and public know-how and bring GM crops to African farmers. Our expansive dataset allows us to measure this intervention at scale. We found a complex story.
Have African countries adopted GM crops?
Several African countries are actively cultivating and commercializing GM crops, but adoption remains uneven across the continent. Click a country to explore its projects in detail. Countries marked in grey have not conducted any known form of plant biotechnology research.
Active & Commercialized Crops for Cultivation
Can GM Crops help farmers adapt to climate change?
A variety of GM traits are being developed across Africa. A subset of these can be deemed "climate-appropriate". Only one GM trait with a direct link to climate (e.g. drought tolerance) has been commercialized, and as of 2026, in only one country, Nigeria. Some of those that target climate-related ecological impacts have reached commercialization (e.g. pest resistance, disease resistance). The primarily purpose of the vast majority of commercialized GM traits is to address production challenges independent of climate.
* Under Development, Research Trials, and Approved but not Commercialized
Will putting GM technology in the hands of a diverse group of developers help produce more relevant products?
Two groups, public private partnerships (partnerships between private firms and African research institutions) and African researchers working out of public institutions, have created a wider diversity of traits. But these research efforts have yet to reach the hands of farmers.
GM Crop Projects by Partnership Type and Trait Category
* Some GM crops may have multiple traits. These will appear twice.
Commercialized GM Crop Projects by Partnership Type and Trait Category
* Some GM crops may have multiple traits. These will appear twice.
Want to learn more? Click here to access the full dataset.
Last synced to Airtable on March 31st, 2026