Call for Papers (Special Issue)

Special Issue: Bioeconomy in Africa

Collaboration between icipe BioInnovate Africa and The African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND)

The African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND) in partnership with the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) through BioInnovate Africa, is now accepting manuscripts for a special issue on Bioeconomy in Africa. This special issue builds on the momentum created by the Global Bioeconomy Summit (GBS) held on 23–24 October 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya in East Africa and seeks to advance discourse on bioeconomy development pathways in Africa. The deadline for receiving the Manuscripts is 30th April 2026.

GBS2024 marked a historic chapter in the advancement of the global bioeconomy as it was the first time the Summit was held outside of Germany since the beginning of the biennial series in 2015. With a spotlight on Africa and the global south, GBS2024 presented unprecedented opportunities to engage global leaders, innovators, and experts in a collaborative effort to explore bioeconomy solutions that drive positive, lasting change in countries and regions around the world.

Bioeconomy refers to the production, utilization, conservation, and regeneration of biological resources, including related knowledge, science, technology, and innovation, to provide sustainable solutions within and across all economic sectors and enable a transformation to a sustainable economy. It has emerged as one of the economic growth models that fosters sustainable development and addresses global challenges such as climate change, food security, and the conservation of resources.

AJFAND is an internationally recognized scholarly journal that covers a wide range of scientific and development disciplines, including agriculture, food, nutrition, environmental management and sustainable development related information. Its primary audience consists of scientists, researchers, policy makers, students and non-Governmental populace whose profession and/or interest lie in sustainable development, agriculture, food security and nutrition. A secondary audience includes a wide range of people such as journalists, lecturers, opinion leaders, who work in various sectors that provide information through newspapers, magazines, lectures, website, radio, television, traditional dance and drama. AJFAND is open to both African and non-African contributors.

Under the theme “Bioeconomy in Africa”, AJFAND, invites papers covering the following topics:

• How bioeconomy diversifies sources of growth, and creates new income streams and jobs.
• How bioeconomy contributes to sustainable management of water, land and biodiversity.
• The importance of science and innovation in driving the bioeconomy.
• How indigenous knowledge is advancing the bioeconomy.
• How bioeconomy is making Africa’s agri-food systems more resilient.

This call for papers is open to all interested parties in the bioeconomy academics, universities and practitioners.

Manuscripts to be submitted via email to info@ajfand.net for consideration with the subject GBS2024-Article not later than 30th April 2026. The articles should adhere to the guidelines laid out by AJFAND which are accessible online at: https://ajfand.net/AJFAND/informationtoauthors.html

If you intend to make a submission, please indicate so by 31st March 2026.