The use of genetically modified (GM) crops for food divides opinion, especially when it comes to Africa. Sharp views on the technology in the developed world, honed by more than a decade of arguments in Europe and elsewhere, are too easily projected onto Africa, with the continent portrayed as a passive participant in the global melodrama over GM food. So it is heartening to see a group of 19 African nations working to develop policies that should make it clear to all sides in the debate that Africa can make up its own mind.

After more than nine years, talks between member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have produced a draft policy on GM technology, which was sent for national consultation last month. COMESA is a trade bloc, and its proposals aim to develop research and trade in GM crops. But they also state that decisions should be based on sound science and evidence.

Under the proposals, a nation that wants to grow a GM crop commercially would inform COMESA, which would then carry out a science-based risk assessment — COMESA seems to have sufficient access to scientific expertise to fulfil this role. The body would judge whether the crop is safe for the environment and human consumption. If the assessment proves positive, blanket approval would probably be given for the crop to be grown commercially in all COMESA countries. National governments would retain the power to decide whether or not to proceed.

Risk assessments are currently left to individual countries, but this requires scientific expertise, money and a well-established regulatory system. That combination is rare in Africa, and only four countries — Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya — have passed laws specifically to govern GM organisms. This helps to explain why there are so few GM crops grown commercially across Africa. Even field trials of GM crops are scarce, although tests of a banana engineered to resist bacterial disease will begin in Uganda this week (seeNature doi:10.1038/news.2010.509; 2010).

Under the COMESA plan, the African nations are consulting on a biosafety road map to guide the development of national regulations on transgenic organisms, and on regimes and mechanisms for monitoring and inspection. A communication strategy to provide countries with the latest scientific information on GM organisms is also under discussion.

The consultation is expected to continue until March, with a decision coming from the relevant ministers soon after. If agreed, the proposals will help many more African nations to explore agricultural biotechnology should they wish to, and perhaps to profit from the increased food security that the technology has the potential to provide. By working together, nations will also benefit from greater access to the experience of commercial issues relating to GM technology that is currently the preserve of just a few African countries.

For their efforts so far, these nations should be applauded, as should the African scientists who have managed to get their voices heard in a difficult and contentious debate. The moves signal a shift towards evidence-based assessments of technologies that could hold much promise for the continent.

African countries have been wise to draw from the speed and enthusiasm with which nations such as Brazil have exploited GM technology, rather than the confused and fearful stance of European countries such as France. The few GM crop initiatives across Africa are already dispelling some myths peddled by the anti-GM lobby, such as the image of poor African farmers being exploited by profiteering multinational companies. In fact, many of the existing projects involving GM organisms in Africa are public–private partnerships through which companies donate their best technologies royalty-free.

It is by no means certain that the COMESA proposals will get through the consultation unscathed. A key sticking point is concern in some countries that regional guidelines would usurp national sovereignty. And although Zambia is the only country in the bloc to take an explicit anti-GM stance, others are pushing for tougher rules that could restrict the adoption of the technology.

African countries should not let ideological opposition to GM technology cloud the admirably clear view that they have taken on the issue so far. Food and water shortages that already ravage the continent will only get worse, and GM technology offers a promising way to tackle poverty and poor agricultural productivity. The question is not whether countries there should adopt GM crops, but how quickly.