How slow, costly lab supplies are hurting research in Africa

When Kenyan food scientist Charity Mutegi was researching the extent of aflatoxin contamination on groundnut among farming households in western Kenya in 2010, she faced enormous difficulties obtaining the key laboratory reagent necessary for testing and analysing the samples she had collected in the field.

A leading laboratory chemicals and equipment dealer in Nairobi told Dr Mutegi she would have to produce a letter of approval for importation of the highly sensitive and toxic material into the country from biosafety authorities.