According to Karembu, the World Economic Forum has ranked misinformation and disinformation among the top global risks. For Africa, the challenge threatens the ability to strengthen food systems, improve health, and build climate resilience. Therefore, the theme of this year’s symposium 2025, “The War on Science: How Can We Overcome the Burden of Misinformation and Disinformation?” speaks to one of the greatest barriers of time.
To further explore the subject of misinformation and disinformation both within the scientific community and society at large, ISAAA organised a symposium titled, “The War on Science – How can we overcome the Burden of misinformation and disinformation.” The 6th Edition of the Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication Symposium (ABBC 2025), was held at Intercontinental Hotel, Lusaka Zambia on 26 – 28 August, 2025 in collaboration with National Biosafety Authority, (NBA-Zambia), with participants drawn from Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Italy, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
1. Biotechnology can help transform agriculture
The symposium opened with a Key Note by Chief Executive Officer COMESA/ACTESA, Dr. John Mukuka.
He informed the participants that the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) through its specialised agency Alliance for Commodity Trade in East and Southern Africa (ACTESA) is a regional economic bloc of 21 member states, many of which, in the spirit of forging into the future with the benefits of science, have already embraced agricultural biotechnology. Countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Eswatini, Ethiopia, and Sudan have commercialized biotech crops and are reaping significant economic, environmental, and food security benefits. He added that Rwanda, Uganda, and Egypt are advancing research on these products, while several, like Zambia, are reviewing and refining their regulatory frameworks to enable safe trade and commercial cultivation. Mukuka said the region’s experience shows that with sound science, robust biosafety systems, and effective communication, biotechnology can help transform agriculture, bolster resilience to climate change, and enhance regional trade in safe, high-quality products.
2. One Health Approach is essential to Transform Food Systems and Reduce Disease Burden to Foster Sustainable Development
Zambia Agriculture Minister – Reuben Phiri Mtolo says, in today’s rapidly evolving information landscape, the spread of misinformation about science has emerged as a significant concern not only for public health but in the entire innovative space. He added, Africa continues to face a convergence of food insecurity, disease burden and environmental challenges, creating a complex crisis that threatens health and development. Therefore, doubt in science arises from a variety of issues. For example, science is at war with misinformation or disinformation emerging as one of the greatest threats. Misinformation alongside disinformation has undermined trust, delayed progress, and in some cases costed lives. In addition, Zambia has not been spared from the devastating effects of misinformation. Therefore, misrepresentation is striking at the nerve centre of our economy and livelihoods in agriculture. The sector supports over 70% of our population and remains a key driver of rural development.
3. A Call to Trusted Science Communication to Shape Africa’s Future
The consequences of misinformation and disinformation are real and costly says Africenter Board Chair Dr. Robert Karanja.
According to Karanja, the twin challenge has undermined innovations that could address hunger and poverty. He added that in health, the menace has fuelled vaccine hesitancy such s in the case of COVID-19 thus threatening lives and reversing gains in disease control. In the environment, misinformation and disinformation have delayed climate action, worsening vulnerabilities across the continent. Collectively, the setbacks have cost Africa opportunities for growth resilience and well-being. Today, AfriCenter reaffirms its commitment to provide strategic direction in providing leadership in championing science, technology and innovation for sustainable development in Africa.
ABBC provides an Africa-based and African-led platform for stakeholders to actively exchange experiences and address pressing communication issues key in propelling biosciences’ innovations in the continent and globally. The symposia take cognizance of the fact that an improved bioscience communications framework is a precursor to an enabling environment, guided by workable biosafety regulatory systems.
“The symposium is more than special: we are marking the 10th anniversary of ABBC. Since its humble beginnings in 2015 ABBC has grown into one of Africa’s most vibrant platforms for science communication consistently bringing together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to co-create strategies that enable biosciences to deliver on their promise of better livelihoods and sustainable development” says Dr. Margaret Karembu.
Ms Mwaba is a Science Communicator based in Zambia.
