Developing Policies for Biodiversity
Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa
African Technology Policy Studies Network
TECHNOPOLICY BRIEF

NO. 46

Nicholas Ozor
Ernest Nti Acheampong
Dorothy Njagi

Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa

1Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics insub-Saharan Africa
Nicholas Ozor
Ernest Nti Acheampong
Dorothy Njagi

African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)

The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is a trans-disciplinary
network of researchers, policymakers, private sector actors and the civilsociety promoting the generation, dissemination, use and mastery of Science,
Technology and Innovations (STI) for African development, environmental
sustainability and global inclusion. In collaboration with like-minded institutions,
ATPS provides platforms for regional and international research and knowledge
sharing in order to build Africa’s capabilities in STI policy research, policymakingand implementation for sustainable development.
Published by the African Technology Policy Studies Network
P O Box 10081, 00100 GPO Nairobi Kenya© 2016
ISBN: 978-9966-030-83-2

Table of Contents
About the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)............................4
About JRS Biodiversity Foundation.....................................................................4
Acknowledgement...............................................................................................5
1. Introduction....................................................................................................62. Rationale........................................................................................................63. Existing policies for promoting biodiversity informatics................................7
4. Policy constraints on biodiversity informatics...............................................8
5. Policy options for promoting biodiversity informatics...................................9
6. Concluding Remarks.....................................................................................9ATPS Technopolicy Brief Series........................................................................11Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa

3About The African Technology Policy
Studies Network (ATPS)
The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is a trans-disciplinary
network of researchers, policymakers, private sector actors and the civilsociety promoting the generation, dissemination, use and mastery of Science,
Technology and Innovations (STI) for African development, environmental
sustainability and global inclusion. ATPS has over 1,300 members and 3000
stakeholders in over 51 countries in 5 continents with institutional partnerships
worldwide. We implement our programs through members in national chaptersestablished in 30 countries (27 in Africa and 3 Diaspora chapters in theAustralia, United States of America, and United Kingdom). In collaboration withlike-minded institutions, ATPS provides platforms for regional and international
research and knowledge sharing in order to build Africa’s capabilities in STI
policy research, policymaking and implementation for sustainable development.

About JRS Biodiversity Foundation
The JRS Biodiversity Foundation is an independent grantmaking foundation
based in Seattle, Washington with assets of $42 million that awards grants
to increase the access to and use of biodiversity information in sub-SaharanAfrica. Our goal is to expand the tools and processes used to collect, manage,
and disseminate biodiversity data and information (“biodiversity informatics”)
in sub-Saharan Africa and to connect this knowledge to the people — thepolicymakers, scientists, conservationists, economists, and the public — whomake and influence decisions that are crucial to preserving biodiversity.

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Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa

Acknowledgement
This Policy Brief was produced by the African Technology Policy Studies Network(ATPS) under the JRS Biodiversity Foundation Project. The ATPS acknowledge
the generous funding received from the JRS Biodiversity Foundation to implement
this project.

Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa

51. Introduction
Globally, the alarming rapid rate at which biodiversity is declining is unprecedented.
Approximately 35% of all mangrove swamps, 40% of forests and 50% of wetlands
worldwide have been lost over the last century1. Economically, biodiversity loss
on land over the last decade is valued at $500 billion annually to the global
economy2. With pressures mounting on biodiversity, there is a high risk that
ecosystem functioning would be severely impaired or disrupted. This alarming
situation deepens the planet’s woes following the world’s failure to achieve the2010 Aichi biodiversity target of significantly reducing rate of biodiversity loss at
the global, regional and national level3.
In Africa, biodiversity provides a fundamental role in economic livelihood andsocietal wellbeing. Africa boasts of a sizeable proportion of the world’s natural
resources and biodiversity, yet this fundamental natural asset upon which life
depends is under severe threat. With increasing natural resource extraction
for economic growth, land degradation, urbanization and weak institutionalarrangements, African countries are experiencing rapid rate of biodiversity
depletion. Even more worrying is the climate change phenomenon that presents
a new development threat to biodiversity and the future of majority of African
rural population whose livelihoods directly depend on biodiversity.
At a recent regional consultation dialogue, African countries governments reported
their failure to achieve the 2010 Aichi biodiversity targets, citing the challenges
of insufficient integration and prioritization of biodiversity into broader sector of
the economy4. Concerns were also raised by governments on the failure of thescientific community to effectively articulate biodiversity issues to policymakers
in ways that adequately make biodiversity a priority in national development
agenda. Following the disappointment of not meeting the 2010-biodiversity
targets, governments launched an ambitious and elaborate Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011-20205, which targets the sustainability of resilient ecosystems
and provision of essential services by halting biodiversity loss by 2020 . It has
become urgent for policymakers to define appropriate policies that would slow
and end the rapid rate of biodiversity loss.

1 Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) (2009) Biodiversity, Development and Poverty
Alleviation: Recognizing the Role of Biodiversity for Human Well-being. Montreal
2 TEEB (2009). The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for National and International Policy Makers
3 SCBD 2010.
4 Africa Regional Consultation and Capacity Building Workshop on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradationin Developing Countries (REDD+), Including On Relevant Biodiversity Safeguards, Cape Town, South Africa, 20 – 23 September 2011.
https://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/for/wscbredd-afr-01/official/wscbredd-afr-01-02-en.doc
5 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.
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Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa

2. Rationale
A major barrier to achieving the 2010 Aichi biodiversity targets was the poor
integration of biodiversity information into decisions in different sectors of theeconomy other than nature protection and conservation. The availability andaccess to high quality information and data on biodiversity is essential formaking effective biodiversity policies. On the other hand, the existence andimplementation of policies is critical to the generation and access to high quality
data and information on biodiversity in SSA region.
The current status of data and information on biodiversity in sub-Saharan Africa(SSA) is precarious. Biodiversity data and information in many SSA countries arelimited, non-existent or scattered in varied formats in national labs, museums,survey, and project reports. This situation hinders the exchange and the creationof a cohesive data and information on biodiversity. At a scientific meeting ofa group of biodiversity informaticians in the region, participants highlighted acommon challenge of aggregating, synthesizing and visualizing existing dataand information on biodiversity to form a structured, unified and meaningful
information system that can adequately inform strategies and actions forbiodiversity conservation6. Existing policies and institutions have done little
to promote the generation, processing and access to biodiversity data andinformation. This is because, biodiversity priorities have not been adequately
incorporated into national development and planning agenda.
With biodiversity priorities gaining attention at global, region, and national levels,
there is a growing demand to generate, synthesize, and interpret biodiversity
information and data for different purposes in what has emerged as the field ofbiodiversity informatics. This field represents the combination of efficient use
and management of biodiversity information with new tools for its analysis andunderstanding these data and information resources.

3. Existing
policies
forpromoting
biodiversity informatics in SSA
With the exception of Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa, most SSA countries
do not have standalone biodiversity policies. In Nigeria, the National Policy
on Conservation of Biological Diversity established in 1999 seeks to integrate
biological diversity issues into national planning, and decision making, and toconserve and enhance the sustainable use of biological diversity. The Biodiversity
Policy for Rwanda was adopted and approved by parliament in 2011, and a law
6 Workshop on Mobilizing Africa’s policy and decision-making relevant biodiversity data. 25-27 March 2014, Pretoria. http://biodiversityadvisor.sanbi.org/participation/mobilising-africas-biodiversity-data/
Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa

7

on biodiversity was passed in 2013. In this policy, the Government of Rwanda
highlighted the scattered nature of biodiversity data and information in different
sectors, and the need to ensure the mobilization, accessibility and managementof data and information to support conservation and decision-making. South
Africa’s Biodiversity Policy provides a strong basis for the sustainable utilizationand conservation of biological diversity. It is one of the few countries with aspecialized National Biodiversity Institute.
The biodiversity policies in Rwanda and South Africa have facilitated thedevelopment of biodiversity informatics activities. The Government of Rwanda
has established a National Biodiversity Information Management System (BIMS)
to facilitate the collection, sharing, analysis, distribution and management ofdata and information for the biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. The
South African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) has built a reputation in biodiversity
conservation beyond its national boundaries, becoming more of a regional
institution that is spearheading the field of biodiversity informatics in Africa.
SANBI in partnership with Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) haveorganized a series of training and capacity building workshops to mobilize
African biodiversity data while strengthening regional collaboration and capacity
in biodiversity informatics.

4. Policy constraints
informaticsonbiodiversity

The extent to which biodiversity related policies are translated into action andits impact on generation and access to biodiversity data and information still
remains minimal in SSA due to the following reasons:•••

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There is poor understanding especially on the part of policymakers about thevalue of biodiversity to national economies and the lack of clear benefits andcareer opportunities in biodiversity information management. Unfortunately,
the relevant authorities have not been able to effectively communicate theimportance of biodiversity informatics to the policymakers for actions.
Most countries do not have standalone biodiversity policies that promote thecapture, processing and interpretation of biodiversity data and information.
Multiple biodiversity related policies function in silos but target an overall goalof promoting biodiversity management. Such an arrangement is prevalent inmost SSA countries where standalone biodiversity policies and institutions
are absent. The use of sectoral policies and different institutions to manage
biodiversity in part has created a complicated web of responsibilities, which
are sometimes overlapping, and create institutional conflicts.
Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa

•Many countries are faced with the difficult challenge of implementing thepolicy targeting biodiversity informatics due to lack of trained and specialized
personnel in the field of biodiversity informatics.

5. Policy options for promoting biodiversity
informatics
Biodiversity relevant policies hold the prospects of providing the strategies andtools for enhancing institutional and human capacity to generate, synthesize, andinterpret biodiversity information for conservation decisions, biodiversity data
sharing, and to meet consumer needs. Countries must redefine and harmonize
policies to target biodiversity priorities in their bid to mainstream biodiversity
issues into national and local development planning. Proposed strategic actions
that should be implemented include:• Countries must engage in sensitization and awareness campaigns in orderto promote biodiversity values as integral part of development planning at
national and local levels. This should be done with all the relevant stakeholders
to have all-inclusive voice and actions.
• Countries must incentivize investments in technologies and innovations forbiodiversity informatics bringing embracing interest from the private sector
and international community.
• Countries must focus on building adequate human and institutional capacity
to tap into the emerging field of informatics and establishing biodiversity
information systems. Training and resources should be provided to promote
the effective use of biodiversity informatics tools by biodiversity institutions.
• Countries must develop standalone biodiversity policies that prioritize thecapture, processing and interpretation of biodiversity data and information as
well as encourage best practices for open access database and data sharing.
• Governments must nurture local initiatives on biodiversity informatics bysetting aside funding to promote biodiversity informatics activities.
• Universities must review their education curricula on biodiversity conservationby embracing the emerging field of biodiversity informatics to advance
production and use of high quality data for integrated analysis supporting
policy and decision-making in biodiversity conservation.

6. Conclusion
This policy brief brings to fore the growing urgency to integrate biodiversity priorities
in decision-making and development planning in SSA countries. A major policy
and institutional gap for biodiversity is that most sub-Saharan African countries do
not have standalone policies on biodiversity that prioritize biodiversity informatics
Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa

9and as a result, provisions on biodiversity concerns are spread between different
policies and implemented by different institutions. The underlying concern isthat, the overall basis for economic growth towards industrialization in most SSA
has not been critically examined from the environmental perspective or fromlivelihoods of the larger population dependent on biological resources. Thus,in major sectors of the macro-economy, the policies on biodiversity have beenleast recognized and implemented.
The gradual recognition of the value of biodiversity as a crucial component of
national development in policies may potentially trigger the search for more dataand information on biodiversity to inform decision-making. Improving, sharing
and applying biodiversity data and information (as set by the Aichi Target 19) willbe essential for policymakers to monitor the status and patterns of biologicalresources and to model the impact of changes. Biodiversity informatics must bedemand driven to attract political support and legitimacy, which will justify andpromote the formulation of biodiversity policies and specialised institutions forbiodiversity informatics in SSA countries.

10Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa

ATPS Technopolicy Brief Series7
ICTs role in Agricultural Development: Prospects of Land Potential Knowledge
System (LandPKS) ((ATPS Technopolicy brief 45)
Mainstreaming Gender in the National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)
Policy of Kenya (ATPS Technopolicy brief 44)
Social Innovation: An untapped Resource for Inclusive Green Growth (ATPSTechnopolicy brief 43)
Policy Axes that can uphold Agricultural Innovations for Climate Change
Adaptation & Food Security in Central Africa: Case of Cameroon, Equatorial
Guineaand Central African Republic (ATPS Technopolicy brief 42)
Frameworks for Intellectual Property Protection of Traditional Knowledge inTanzania (ATPS Technopolicy brief 41)
Assessment of Possible Intellectual Property Protection Options of Traditional
Knowledge System in Ethiopia (ATPS Technopolicy brief 40)
Towards influencing National Legislation, Policies, Strategies and Programmes
for appropriate Protection and Benefit-Sharing of Traditional Knowledge (TK)with Traditional Herbalists in Uganda (ATPS Technopolicy brief 39)
Traditional Healers and their provision of Mental Health Services in Cosmopolitan
Informal Settlements in Nairobi, Kenya (ATPS Technopolicy brief 38)
Policy Implications for Intellectual Property Systems for Traditional Healers inLesotho (ATPS Technopolicy brief 37)
Incidence of Indigenous and Innovative Climate Change Adaptation Practices
for Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihood Security in Chikhwawa District, SouthernMalawi (ATPS Technopolicy brief 36)
Machobane Farming System and its Relevance to Climate Change Policy inLesotho (ATPS Technopolicy brief 35)
Policy Challenges of Climate Change and Adaptation in Northern Nigeria (ATPSTechnopolicy brief 34)
Sensitizing and Building the Capacity of Women towards Climate Change
Consequences in Northern Lakes of Egypt (ATPS Technopolicy brief 33)
Agricultural Innovations for Climate Change Adaption and Food Security in
Ghana and The Gambia: Policy Options (ATPS Technopolicy brief 32)
7 http://www.atpsnet.org/publications/technopolicy_briefs/index.php
Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa

11The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is atrans-disciplinary network of researchers, policymakers, private
sector actors and the civil society promoting the generation,dissemination, use and mastery of Science, Technology andInnovations (STI) for African development, environmental
sustainability and global inclusion. In collaboration with likeminded institutions, ATPS provides platforms for regional andinternational research and knowledge sharing in order to build
Africa’s capabilities in STI policy research, policymaking andimplementation for sustainable development.

African Technology
Policy Studies Network
Contact the Executive Director atThe Chancery, 3rd Floor, Valley Rd,P.O Box 10081,00100-Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (254 020) 2714092
www.atpsnet.org

Science, Technology and Innovation
for African Development
ISBN: 978-9966-030-83-2

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Developing Policies for Biodiversity Informatics in sub-Saharan Africa