23 – 27 February 2026, Nairobi, Kenya
Organisers:
CABI International and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
Contact:
Joseph Mulema ([email protected]) and Lucy Karanja ([email protected])
In collaboration with:
The Nature-Based Microbial Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture (NAMSSA) project is driving forward the development and registration of innovative biosolutions to support smallholder farmers in restoring soil health, controlling pests and diseases through biological approaches, increasing crop yields, and strengthening climate resilience across sub-Saharan Africa.
Launched in March 2025, NAMSSA is a two-year initiative led by ICGEB in partnership with CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International). A key objective is to support the development, registration and commercialisation of microbial solutions addressing major agricultural challenges in the region. In Kenya, the project collaborates with Twiga Chemicals to support the label extension of a commercial products for crop protection in broccoli and tomatoes. In Zambia, it works with Exotic Green Power Enterprises Ltd. to develop a biostimulant and a biofertilizer to mitigate climate-related constraints in maize cultivation. In Benin, in partnership with the University of Abomey-Calavi, activities focus on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)-based biofertilisers aiming the reduction of the use of chemical fertilisers in maize. These innovations will be instrumental in promoting more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
Funding
Funded through the B-INOC Initiative by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the project contributes to ICGEB’s broader commitment to strengthening public–private partnerships and advancing sustainable agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa.
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