The Battle for African Agriculture Podcast || Episode 4 with Mohamed Coulibaly

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 realities of African farmers. Professor Coulibaly argues that promises of innovation, investment, and agricultural development under these seed protection systems have largely failed to materialize. Instead, he calls for a bold shift toward an African-driven model that recognizes indigenous knowledge, strengthens farmer-researcher collaboration, and supports local seed systems. This powerful dialogue is a call to rethink how African countries govern seeds in ways that prioritize food security, biodiversity, and farmer resilience over corporate control.