Unlocking Africa's data potential: the launch of the African Bioinformatics Institute
Univeristy of Cape Town.
Image: File
In an epoch-defining milestone for scientific collaboration and capacity building across Africa, the African Bioinformatics Institute (ABI) has officially launched, inheriting interim hosting support from the University of Cape Town's (UCT) esteemed Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM).
This transformative initiative is poised to propel the continent into a data-powered future, driving forward bioinformatics research and infrastructure with the goal of unleashing Africa's vast potential in health, development, and innovation.
The launch of the ABI followed a landmark gathering featuring over 200 scientists, policymakers, and institutional leaders hailing from across Africa and beyond. All present shared an unwavering commitment to cultivating an integrated, Africa-led ecosystem devoted to data-driven discoveries, a vital venture for the continent's future.
Currently hosted by UCT's IDM, the ABI capitalises on a robust institutional foundation and a rich legacy of leadership in genomics, health, and bioinformatics research. Within the next months, ABI will establish itself as a non-profit organisation (NPO), which will solidify its long-term independence and reinforce its commitment to an Africa-led agenda. The ABI's formation signifies a substantial leap forward for empowering African researchers to lead the charge in bioinformatics and data science.
Interim lead of the ABI and head of the Computational Biology Division at UCT, Professor Nicky Mulder expressed optimism about the institute's potential: 'The launch of the ABI marks a major milestone towards building a genuinely Africa-led research ecosystem.'
'Bioinformatics and data science are the cornerstones of research that will help us achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The ABI is well-positioned to play a foundational role in investing in world-class training, infrastructure, and collaboration, which will drive Africa's scientific growth in the coming years,' she said.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
With seed funding from the Wellcome Trust and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the ABI aims to serve as a catalyst for cutting-edge genomics research and health advancements. The anticipated development of African infrastructure will empower local researchers to analyse pathogens, monitor diseases, and implement evidence-based policy, paving the way for sustained health improvements across the continent.
Ekin Bolukbasi, Technology Manager for Data for Science and Health at Wellcome, said there is a growing demand for bioinformatics.
'Given the rapid pace of technological advancement, bioinformatics and data science have become essential for research-driven decision-making. The ABI has an ambitious vision to establish itself as a continent-wide skills and infrastructure hub, enabling the use of biological data to enhance the lives of African citizens.'
In recent years, Africa has witnessed a surge in biological and environmental data generation, primarily propelled by advancements in genomics and public health surveillance. However, the infrastructure and expertise required to effectively manage and interpret this influx of data has remained erratic. The ABI aims to bridge this gap through enhanced training, establishing interoperable systems, and championing local leadership in data science.
Dario Taraborelli, science program officer at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, said Africa's leaders in genomics, biodiversity research, and disease surveillance have been operating without the unified data infrastructure they rightly deserve. We are proud to support the African Bioinformatics Institute as it lays the groundwork for the data and bioinformatics backbone needed across the continent, addressing the priorities of its scientific community and unlocking breakthrough discoveries that will benefit its distinct and diverse populations.'
The African Bioinformatics Institute is focused on aligning its goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's Agenda 2063 by:
Enhancing the continent's capacity in bioinformatics through training, infrastructure, and collaborative networks.
Establishing infrastructure that enables African researchers to analyse, interpret, and integrate complex datasets essential for tackling local and continental challenges.
Supporting pandemic preparedness by providing access to high-quality, interoperable bioinformatics tools and platforms.
Facilitating the implementation of One Health by linking human, animal, and ecosystem health to strengthen the response to emerging health threats.
Since its inception in January 2025, the ABI has established an interim governance council and is actively identifying regional nodes to ensure comprehensive geographical representation and research diversity. Its interim hosting at UCT's IDM - a globally recognised leader in health research - highlights UCT's pivotal role as a continental epicentre for scientific excellence.
Recently, in April 2025, the ABI endorsed the ISCB-Africa ASBCB Bioinformatics Conference in Cape Town, which convened students and early-career researchers alongside established scientists to foster collaboration and information exchange. The institute's momentum is set to continue as it prepares to launch its inaugural training programme and cultivate communities of practice across various thematic research areas.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
SowetanLIVE
an hour ago
- SowetanLIVE
UFS inaugurates new vice-chancellor and principal
Professor Hester Klopper was officially inaugurated as the 15th vice-chancellor and principal of the University of the Free State (UFS) and is the first woman to lead the university in its 121-year history, in a ceremony at its Bloemfontein campus on Monday. She was appointed to this position on February 1. In her inaugural address, titled 'Walking Together with Purpose: Unlocking Excellence to Lead Change', Klopper outlined her vision to transform UFS into a research-led powerhouse that harnesses artificial intelligence while preserving human connection and African identity. Klopper challenged the higher education sector to confront an uncomfortable reality about the pace of technological change vs educational transformation. 'Artificial intelligence capabilities are advancing exponentially, doubling in power every few months. However, our educational systems remain fundamentally unchanged from their industrial-era origins. 'We are preparing students for a world that is transforming faster than we can imagine, using methods designed for a world that no longer exists,' she said. Klopper emphasised that it was essential for UFS to find its place and purpose in confronting the challenges faced by the higher education sector, and not merely emulate what other institutions were doing. 'The question before us is not whether we will adapt — it is whether we will step up and lead this transformation or be swept aside by it,' she said. Klopper shared her vision of UFS as 'a true entrepreneurial knowledge ecosystem, thriving on the creative synergy produced when our best academic minds work together across our three campuses, allowing us to be the very best we can be'. She emphasised that preparing students for the world of work will focus on 'their ability to think creatively, to empathise deeply, to ask the right questions, to challenge assumptions, and to work collaboratively with both humans and artificial intelligence'.
The Herald
4 hours ago
- The Herald
Cape Town lab tests thousands of samples as city notes increase in foodborne illnesses
Noting a gradual increase in foodborne illnesses, the City of Cape Town says its microbiological laboratory has tested nearly 5,000 food samples over 10 months to verify the items were safe to eat. Tests are conducted on ready-to-eat and dairy products, from sushi to baked goods. The laboratory also conducts testing of samples in cases of foodborne illnesses. Food handling, production and processing environments from manufacturers to retailers and takeaways to old age homes, informal traders and spaza shops are included in the sampling. 'The testing is essential for identifying unhygienic conditions, poor food handling practices and possible contamination to prevent potential outbreaks,' said the city. 'Over 10 months since July 2024, the laboratory received 4,853 samples that were subjected to 17,759 analyses. The sample results yielded an overall compliance rate of 84.55%.' The city said it had noted a 'steady increase' in reported foodborne illnesses from July 2022 to April 2025. 'As Covid-19 restrictions eased, there was a return to normal food handling, dining and social behaviours. This may have led to increased exposure to foodborne pathogens and a rebound in reported cases. The increase in notifications, specially in 2024, may also reflect better detection, reporting and surveillance systems as public health operations normalised post-pandemic,' said community services and health MMC Francine Higham. 'However, as the underreporting of foodborne illness is known to be extensive, the actual incidence is likely to be far higher, which reinforces the need for regular testing of foodstuffs in the public domain.' The city described its health department's food microbiological laboratory and environmental health practitioners as frontline defenders against foodborne illnesses. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
4 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
UFS inaugurates new vice-chancellor and principal
Professor Hester Klopper was officially inaugurated as the 15th vice-chancellor and principal of the University of the Free State (UFS) and is the first woman to lead the university in its 121-year history, in a ceremony at its Bloemfontein campus on Monday. She was appointed to this position on February 1. In her inaugural address, titled 'Walking Together with Purpose: Unlocking Excellence to Lead Change', Klopper outlined her vision to transform UFS into a research-led powerhouse that harnesses artificial intelligence while preserving human connection and African identity. Klopper challenged the higher education sector to confront an uncomfortable reality about the pace of technological change vs educational transformation. 'Artificial intelligence capabilities are advancing exponentially, doubling in power every few months. However, our educational systems remain fundamentally unchanged from their industrial-era origins. 'We are preparing students for a world that is transforming faster than we can imagine, using methods designed for a world that no longer exists,' she said. Klopper emphasised that it was essential for UFS to find its place and purpose in confronting the challenges faced by the higher education sector, and not merely emulate what other institutions were doing. 'The question before us is not whether we will adapt — it is whether we will step up and lead this transformation or be swept aside by it,' she said. Klopper shared her vision of UFS as 'a true entrepreneurial knowledge ecosystem, thriving on the creative synergy produced when our best academic minds work together across our three campuses, allowing us to be the very best we can be'. She emphasised that preparing students for the world of work will focus on 'their ability to think creatively, to empathise deeply, to ask the right questions, to challenge assumptions, and to work collaboratively with both humans and artificial intelligence'.
