From Protocol to Practice: Scaling Community-Led Frameworks for Indigenous Bio-innovation Integration in Africa

Across Africa, the intersection of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and modern bio-science holds the key to transformative solutions in health, agriculture, and conservation. However, the path from “informed consent” to “equitable partnership” is often hindered by extractive research models and legal complexities. This session moves beyond theoretical debates about ethics to showcase practical, community-led frameworks that are currently scaling across the continent. We bring together a transdisciplinary panel of indigenous knowledge holders, bio-scientists, and policy architects to dissect successful models of “Bio-innovation Co-production.” The session will explore how local communities are moving from being passive suppliers of raw materials to becoming active co-owners of intellectual property and value-added products.