Episode notes
In this episode of The Battle for African Agriculture, Million Belay is joined by Professor Mohamed Coulibaly to unpack the political and legal complexities of seed sovereignty in Africa. With a background in banking and environmental law, Professor Coulibaly brings a deep understanding of how global frameworks particularly UPOV 1991—undermine traditional seed systems by prioritizing breeders’ rights over farmers’ rights. He explains how many African countries have adopted seed laws modelled after those in the Global North, which limit farmers’ ability to save, exchange, or improve their seeds—practices that are central to African agriculture and food sovereignty. The conversation also delves into the implementation challenges of the OAPI system and the African Model Law, revealing a stark disconnect between legal frameworks and the lived realiti ...