KENAS and British Standards Institute Partner to Empower Experts on Biobanking Accreditation in Africa

By Bruno Aero 

KENAS CEO Dr. Walter Ongeti

Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), in collaboration with the British Standards Institute (BSI), has launched a groundbreaking Biobanking Accreditation Awareness Workshop at the Pullman Hotel, Nairobi. 

The four-day workshop brings together regulators, technical experts, and stakeholders from the biotechnology and research sectors to build capacity in biobanking accreditation based on the globally recognized ISO 20387:2018 standard.

This is part of the strategic partnership between KENAS and BSI, which supports capacity building in Kenya's Quality Infrastructure (QI) ecosystem—encompassing metrology, standards, and conformity assessment. The partnership has already played a significant role in the development of the Kenya Quality Policy, positioning the country for enhanced global trade and technological advancements.

In his opening remarks, KENAS CEO Dr. Walter Ongeti emphasized the transformative impact of biobank accreditation.

 "This workshop marks a historic step for KENAS and the African continent. We are proud to be the first Accreditation Body in Africa to offer formal accreditation to biobanks under the ISO 20387:2018 standard. 

This milestone showcases Africa’s readiness to meet global standards in scientific research, medical advancements, and biotechnology."

Biobanks serve as repositories for biological samples essential for research in genomics, drug development, cancer treatment, and public health interventions. Accreditation ensures that these samples are managed with integrity, quality, and ethical responsibility, safeguarding research outcomes and patient care.

"Biobanking accreditation under ISO 20387:2018 will strengthen Africa's research landscape, reduce regulatory barriers, and enhance trade opportunities. It creates an environment where global trust can be placed in African research and healthcare solutions," Dr. Ongeti added.

Biobanking accreditation will streamline research processes, enhance the credibility of research samples, and facilitate global collaborations, thus positioning Africa at the forefront of cutting-edge scientific discoveries.