In October 2024, BGI Group CEO and Executive Director Yin Ye visited Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, announcing plans to deepen exchanges and cooperation with these African countries in various fields, including perennial rice, public health, and talent development.
Promoting Perennial Rice
On October 16, Yin Ye attended the "China-Africa International Symposium on Perennial Rice in Africa" held at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event was hosted by the Mission of China to the AU and the AU Commission, and organized by BGI Group and Yunnan University. The symposium discussed how perennial rice could boost food security in Africa by fostering innovative agricultural practices and leveraging the strategic partnership between China and Africa in the agricultural sector.
On October 16, BGI Group CEO and Executive Director Yin Ye delivered a keynote speech at the "China-Africa International Symposium on Perennial Rice in Africa" in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yin delivered a keynote speech which showcased BGI’s efforts in advancing rice breeding through the use of gene sequencing and spatial-temporal omics technologies. He also introduced BGI Bioverse, a BGI Group subsidiary that carries out the smart agriculture initiative, highlighting its significant role in combating desertification, cultivating perennial crops, and developing microbial ecosystems.
Ambassador Hu Changchun, Head of Mission of China to the AU; Josefa Sacko, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE); Professor Hu Fengyi, Chief Scientist of Perennial Rice at Yunnan University, and over 200 participants from AU and UN institutions, agricultural departments, diplomatic missions, Chinese enterprises, and research institutions attended the event both online and offline. Participants agreed to collaborate in promoting perennial rice technology across Africa, putting new momentum into food security and economic and social development on the continent.
The promotion of perennial rice technology has been recognized as a key initiative to support Africa’s food security and agricultural modernization at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit.
On October 22, Yin Ye attended the inauguration ceremony for the China-Africa Cooperation Center for Perennial Rice Technology, and the BGI-NARO Center for Excellence at the Namulonge campus of the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in Uganda.
Zhang Lizhong, Chinese Ambassador to Uganda; Jimmy Lamo, Project Leader of the Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO); Yin Ye, CEO and Executive Director of BGI Group; Yona Baguma, Director General of NARO; William Mukani, Chairman of the Governing Council of NARO; and Liu Xiaoming, Counselor of the Mission of China to the African Union (AU), attended the opening ceremony on October 22. (From left to right)
BGI Group and NARO also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen cooperation in perennial rice technology, agricultural research, and personnel training. The event was attended by Zhang Lizhong, Chinese Ambassador to Uganda; Liu Xiaoming, Counselor of the Mission of China to the AU; William Mukani, Chairman of the Governing Council of NARO Uganda; Yona Baguma, Director General of NARO; and Nacakwa Egulu Beatrice AsiiMire, Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, AU Commission, and Jimmy Lamo, NARO project leader.
On October 22, BGI Group and Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen cooperation in perennial rice technology, agricultural research, and personnel training.
Previously, BGI had collaborated with NARO on trial planting of perennial rice in Uganda, achieving a yield of 11 tons per hectare per year.
On October 24, Yin Ye met with researchers at the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC) in Kenya.
On October 24, Yin Ye also visited Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya, where he met with researchers at the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), a collaborative effort with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Strengthening Public Health Partnerships
On October 15, Yin Ye met with Ethiopian Minister of Health Mekdes Daba (third from left) to sign a long-term cooperation agreement to further deepen cooperation in the localization of medical products and the training of public health professionals.
On October 15, Yin Ye met with Ethiopian Minister of Health Mekdes Daba. The two sides signed a long-term cooperation agreement, with Minister Daba expressing her appreciation and a desire to further deepen cooperation in the localization of medical products and the training of public health professionals.
On October 18, Yin Ye met with Rwandan Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana to discuss ongoing collaboration on HPV screening projects, strengthen cooperation in medical equipment technology, and expand personnel training initiatives.
On October 18, Yin met with Rwandan Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana. Both parties agreed to continue collaborating on HPV screening projects, strengthen cooperation in medical equipment technology, and expand personnel training initiatives. Earlier this year, in April, BGI and the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) launched a milestone international cooperation project to provide 20,000 HPV genetic tests for local women, aiding in cervical cancer prevention.
Expanding Education and Training Initiatives
On October 22, Yin Ye went to Volcano Primary School in Kampala, Central Uganda, to attend a ceremony for book donation and educational support. He gave a science popularization lecture and donated science books along with stationery supplies. The school principal and over 340 students and teachers participated.
On October 22, Yin Ye gave a science popularization lecture and donated science books and stationery supplies at Volcano Primary School in Kampala, Central Uganda.
On October 23, Yin Ye visited Makerere University in Uganda, where he met with Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe. Both parties expressed their willingness to strengthen exchanges in education and training, providing more opportunities for Ugandan and African students to learn cutting-edge technologies from China.
On October 23, Yin Ye delivered a keynote lecture at the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University in Uganda.
Yin Ye also toured the joint high-throughput sequencing laboratory established by BGI and the College of Health Sciences of Makerere University. He delivered a keynote lecture to encourage over 170 students present to explore life science.
Exploring New Frontiers
On October 14, Yin Ye visited the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, where he met with Director General Adugna Debela to discuss cooperation on specialty coffee traceability and quality control for coffee imports. He also visited coffee enterprises in Ethiopia and Rwanda to explore further opportunities for collaboration.
On October 14, Yin Ye visited the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority and met with Director General Adugna Debela to discuss cooperation on specialty coffee traceability and quality control for coffee imports.
For many years, BGI Group has actively participated in cooperation with African nations across sectors such as healthcare, agricultural breeding, and talent development. BGI has introduced advanced technologies, methods, and products to several African countries, contributing to addressing public health challenges, improving people's health, and enhancing food security.
Looking ahead, BGI Group remains committed to its mission of Omics for All and will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with African nations, contributing to the well-being of local populations.