MGI Advances Genomics Collaboration at the African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP)

For the third consecutive year, MGI proudly participated in the African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Southern African Workshop - a flagship initiative aimed at empowering African researchers and institutions to drive genomics innovation for biodiversity, agriculture, and sustainable development.

Held from 8–12 September 2025, this annual workshop brought together scientists, government agencies, academic institutions, and technology partners from across the continent to advance genomics collaboration and infrastructure development.

Empowering African Genomics Through Training and Technology

The event opened with two dynamic days (8–9 Sept) of exhibitions and presentations. MGI had a strong presence at the exhibition, and Ntji Shabangu delivered a compelling presentation on the transformative role of sequencing technologies in AfricaBP’s vision.

From 10–12 September, MGI hosted a hands-on whole genome sequencing (WGS) workshop in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). The sessions were conducted on-site at the SAMRC Genomics Platform in Cape Town, utilizing MGI’s advanced MGISP-960 automation system and high-throughput DNBSEQ-T7 sequencer. Led by Ntji Shabangu, the workshop gave participants the opportunity to explore end-to-end sequencing workflows - from sample preparation to data analysis - equipping them with practical skills for real-world research.

Building on a Strong Foundation

This latest initiative builds on MGI’s foundational role in the AfricaBP, which began with the sequencing of the first plant species in the project using MGI technology. Since then, our engagement has grown to support not only infrastructure but also capacity building, training, and scientific empowerment.

MGI remains committed to AfricaBP’s mission of sequencing 100,000 indigenous species while ensuring that the scientific value, infrastructure, and innovation remain rooted in Africa. AfricaBP is more than a sequencing project - it’s a movement for scientific sovereignty and sustainable development and at MGI we’re proud to continue supporting this mission through technology, training, and trust.

🔗 Learn more about the MGI's Innovative Technologies Is Enabling Sequencing of First Plant Species in The African BioGenome Project:

🔗 Learn more about the African BioGenome Project