MGI Tech Co., Ltd. has announced two major milestones in African genomics — the installation of the continent’s first DNBSEQ-T7 ultra-high-throughput sequencing platform at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MGI Tech, SAMRC, and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) to launch the 110K Human Genome Program in South Africa.
These initiatives mark a transformative step toward building sustainable genomic research capacity and advancing precision medicine across the continent. The collaboration aims to strengthen Africa’s role in global genomics, not only as a source of data but also as a hub for innovation and scientific leadership.
The newly installed DNBSEQ-T7 at the SAMRC Genomics Center in Cape Town stands among Africa’s most advanced sequencing platforms, offering unprecedented speed, scale, and accuracy. It enables large-cohort and multi-omics studies at reduced costs, making genomic research more accessible to African scientists. The SAMRC Genomics Platform, long focused on precision medicine, continues to serve as a hub for innovation, capacity building, and translational research—empowering local scientists in areas such as clinical genetics, population genomics, biodiversity, and infectious disease research.
The facility also supports training and mentoring of local researchers, the development of bioinformatics tools optimized for African genetic diversity, and the design of cost-effective, end-to-end workflows for region-specific applications. With the DNBSEQ-T7, SAMRC has already sequenced genomes from lions, low-coverage human samples, and patients with rare diseases—demonstrating the platform’s broad potential.
The 110K Human Genome Program is a national initiative that aims to sequence 110,000 South African genomes to create the country’s first comprehensive genomic reference database. Its pilot phase will include 10,000 genomes to establish an African Genome Reference—a critical resource for understanding population-specific genetic diversity and improving disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
By integrating infrastructure, training, and collaborative funding through BRICS and China–Africa partnerships, the program lays the foundation for a sustainable genomics ecosystem. It also positions South Africa as a regional leader in genomic innovation, driving health equity and empowering Africa to shape the global future of precision medicine.
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