Genetically modified (GM) crops have been commercially cultivated in four African countries; South Africa, Burkina Faso, Egypt and Sudan.
[1] Beginning in 1998, South Africa is the major grower of GM crops, with Burkina Faso and Egypt starting in 2008.
[2] In 2010, after nine years of talks, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) produced a draft policy on GM technology, which was sent to all 19 national governments for consultation in September 2010.
[9] 2011 studies for Uganda showed that transgenic bananas had a high potential to reduce rural poverty but that urban consumers with a relatively higher income might reject the introduction.
[13] In December 2005 the Zambian government changed its position in the face of further famine and allowed the importation of GM maize.