The ABS Compliant Biotrade in South(ern) Africa (ABioSA) project contributes to a competitive, resilient, prosperous, inclusive and sustainable ABS-compliant southern African biotrade sector. It helps the sector to add value to natural plant ingredients, develop new products and markets, and stimulate economic opportunities while recognising the importance of traditional knowledge, biodiversity and conservation.

Geographical scope

ABioSA works in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho and Eswatini, where it provides technical assistance and financial support at a sector and small business level.

Target groups

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), business support organisations (BSOs) including public-sector implementing agencies and private-sector associations, indigenous people and local communities (IP&LCs), and government.

Governance

ABioSA is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

ABioSA was previously implemented under the ABS Capacity Development Initiative. Its current phase III is implemented under the global GIZ programme: Strengthening the National Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).  

The ABioSA project steering committee includes SECO, GIZ and DFFE.  

ABioSA will contribute to the objectives of the global GBF project – supporting partner countries to implement national biodiversity targets aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework. In particular it will support innovative, nationally tested approaches for improved adaptation and implementation of national biodiversity targets into existing international knowledge networks.