Building Africa’s Bioinformatics Future
The African Bioinformatics Institute is a continent-wide network advancing bioinformatics research, training, and infrastructure, driving data-led solutions for Africa’s most pressing health, agricultural, and environmental challenges.
ABI exists to ensure that African scientists, institutions, and communities are at the forefront of the global bioinformatics revolution.
What We Do
Research
We connect senior bioinformaticians across Africa through a growing network of Group Leaders and research sites, producing locally relevant science with global impact.
Training
From curated training resources to ABI-delivered courses, we are building the next generation of African bioinformatics expertise, at every career stage.
Community
Through our Communities of Practice, Student Forum, and membership programmes, we are fostering a connected, collaborative pan-African bioinformatics community.
Africa’s biological diversity and disease burden demand African-led science. The ABI is building the network to make that possible.
Africa represents over 17% of the world’s population yet remains significantly underrepresented in global bioinformatics research and genomic data. The consequences are real, from gaps in pandemic preparedness to the underdiagnosis of rare diseases and the absence of African-led solutions to uniquely African challenges.
The African Bioinformatics Institute was established to change this. By building distributed, institution-anchored expertise across the continent and connecting it through a unified network, the ABI is creating the infrastructure for sustainable, Africa-led bioinformatics capacity, not just for today, but for generations to come.
Our work is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and supports broader continental priorities including One Health, pandemic preparedness, and data sovereignty.
Latest From The African Bioinformatics Institute
Building Connections Across Genetics and Bioinformatics: ABI at SASBi–SAGS BIO2026
The SASBi–SAGS 2026 conferences brought together students, researchers and professionals working across genetics, genomics and bioinformatics, creating a space for scientific exchange and new connections.
From Data to Discovery: APBA and ABI Bring African Plant Breeders Together for an Agri-Informatics Hackathon in Cape Town
The African Bioinformatics Institute (ABI), in partnership with the African Plant Breeders Association (APBA), recently hosted the APBA/ABI Joint Agri-Informatics Bring Your Own Data (BYOD) Hackathon, bringing together plant breeders, researchers and bioinformatics experts for five days of intensive, hands-on data analysis and collaborative learning.
Harnessing Plant Genomics for Africa’s Crops: ABI Supports Plant Pangenome Workshop
How can genomics help develop crops that are more productive, resilient and suited to Africa’s diverse growing environments? This was at the heart of the Plant Pangenome Workshop, held from 31 August to 4 September 2026 at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Find Your Place in the ABI Network
Researchers & Scientists
Lead bioinformatics research as part of a continent-wide network. Apply to become a Group Leader or Associate Group Leader and help shape the scientific direction of ABI.
Students & Early-Career Researchers
Connect with peers across Africa, access world-class training resources, and grow your career within a supportive pan-African community.
Partners & Organisations
We are actively building partnerships with national, Pan-African, and international organisations. Let’s explore how we can work together to advance bioinformatics across the continent.
Stay Informed
Not ready to apply but want to follow our progress? Join our mailing list for updates on research, training, and events.
Supported By
The work we do is made possible through the generous support of our funders.
The African Bioinformatics Institute is supported by the Wellcome Trust and by a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative DAF, an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.