The project is working to deliver transgenic drought-tolerant and insect-protected maize varieties to African farmers
[Abuja, Nigeria – July 2025] AATF and its partners have reaffirmed their commitment to transforming African agriculture through sustainable technology delivery, marked by the successful rollout of TELA maize to farmers through the Biotech Maize Seed Systems (BMSS) partnership.
The BMSS partnership, coordinated by AATF, builds on the success of the TELA maize project that focused on the development of transgenic maize hybrids. BMSS aims to catalyze the deployment and commercialization of the transgenic maize hybrid seeds that positively impact farmers’ livelihoods in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, and Nigeria.
In his keynote address at the first BMSS Annual Review and Planning Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of AATF, celebrated the significant strides made in the commercialization of TELA maize in Nigeria in July 2024 and applauded the collaborative efforts of partners in reshaping the future of African agriculture.
“We are raising the profile of maize technology and demonstrating that concerted effort can influence changes in the wider environment, making it easier for the African farmers to access and benefit from new technologies,” Dr. Kanangire said, adding that “It is the first time we are seeing real momentum as TELA maize reaches farmers’ hands as commercialisation takes center stage. This is how we ensure that innovative agricultural technologies reach the last mile sustainably.”
He pointed out that the regulatory pathways for the deregulation of TELA maize are making steady progress in all target countries, despite the country differences.
“We can say with pride that in Nigeria, the successful release and roll out of TELA maize has registered great results that have demonstrated to farmers for the first time that they can gain a yield advantage of up to 88 percent by planting TELA maize,” he noted.
“This success is a testament to what can be achieved through long-term commitment, evidence-based innovation, and steadfast collaboration,” he added.
Dr. Kanangire commended the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for its exceptional and sustained support in ensuring the product gets into the hands of African farmers. Further, he emphasized the Foundation’s role in defying short-term funding trends by supporting the journey from the early stages of WEMA, through the development of TELA maize, to the current BMSS and ABMAN programs.
“With over $20 million invested in the current round of support, we are now seeing tangible impacts across the board,” he said. “This would not have been possible without the Gates Foundation’s enduring belief in the power of agricultural technology to uplift African farmers.”
Dr. Kanangire acknowledged the role of national agricultural research systems in enabling success. He praised the energy, resilience, and alignment of country-level partners, especially Nigeria’s agricultural agencies, in ensuring regulatory approvals and responsive implementation.
“Our National Agricultural Research partners have been indispensable in navigating the regulatory environment and delivering on our shared vision,” he concluded.
Dr. Kanangire reaffirmed AATF’s dedication to farmer-centered innovation and called on all stakeholders to continue building a future where technology uplifts livelihoods and drives food and nutrition security across the continent.
Speaking at the same event, Lawrence Kent from the Gates Foundation, emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to transforming African agriculture.
“At the end of the day, what we at the foundation want to see is the technology in farmers’ hands, translating to real-world benefits, including increased incomes and improved livelihoods. To achieve this goal, we need to move quickly to make the seed available, especially in countries where it has been approved for commercialization. In Nigeria we have a chance to prove that this technology can change the lives of maize farmers.,” Kent said.
Dr. Sylvester Oikeh, Project Manager of the BMSS project lauded the collaboration and partnership that has seen the successful release of TELA Maize in Nigeria and the positive progress made in Ethiopia, Kenya and Mozambique towards full release of TELA Mazie varieties. “BMSS is the next step in the long journey that begun with WEMA more than a decade ago. We are truly grateful to the Gates Foundation in believing in us to deliver this technology to farmers in Africa,” Dr. Oikeh pointed out.
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About AATF (www.aatf-africa.org)
Founded in 2003 to address Africa’s food security prospects through agricultural technology, AATF believes that the agricultural sector is a key foundational pillar as Africa consolidates its economic growth and carves out its new position as a major global economic powerhouse and the next growth market in the world. It was formed in response to the need for an effective mechanism that would facilitate and support negotiation for technology access and delivery and formation of appropriate partnerships to manage the development & deployment of innovative technologies for use by smallholder farmers in SSA:
For more information contact:
Alex Abutu, Communications Officer, Weste and Central Africa, AATF; a.abutu@aatf-africa.org; +234 806 870 1960
