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In February 2025, Ethiopia’s National Variety Release Committee (NVRC) approved the commercial release of three TELA maize hybrid varieties.

On July 26, 2016, Côte d’Ivoire enacted its national Biosafety Law No. 2016-553. This law establishes the groundwork for managing genetically engineered (GE) products.

The push for the move toward biotechnology in Cote d'Ivoire began in June of 2015, when the government of Cote d'Ivoire (GOCI) adopted and ratified the Cartagena Protocol.

On July 26, 2016, Cote d’Ivoire announced the implementation of the national biosafety law after its adoption by parliament. Although the country is in the early stages of adopting agricultural biotechnology, its biosafety law is the foundation on which the country will manage the approval processes, risk management, containment, and labelling for genetically engineered (GE) products developed domestically or by a third country.

While still in the early stages for adopting genetically engineered products, the Government of Cote d’Ivoire is putting systems in place to eventually allow GE products onto the market.

Ethiopian farmers and researchers have tried to address food security shortfalls and plant health issues through conventional breeding without success.

In 2018, the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) authorized cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) cotton by granting official approvals for environmental release.

In May, the Ethiopian Ministry of Environment approved Bt cotton – the country’s first biotech crop – for cultivation.

Ethiopia completed its second round of Bt cotton confined field trials in 2017 and commercialization is expected within the next couple of years.

For the past several years, Ethiopia has invested in establishing the legal and regulatory systems, as well as the technical capacity to support and manage the adoption of genetically engineered...

On July, 26, 2016, The President of Cote d’Ivoire announced the implementation of the national biosafety law adopted by the parliament on July 1, 2016.

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is supporting Ethiopia in meeting their national climate change goals and international commitments.