The Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub provides access to world-class bioscience facilities and services for research on sustainable agriculture and development in the region. Through research partnerships, fellowships and training the Hub is building the capacity of African graduate students and scientists.

The BecA Hub context

The Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub was established as part of the African Biosciences Initiative of the African Union (AU) / New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The BecA Hub supports the priorities of the AU/NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the regional priorities of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA).

The BecA Hub is managed by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and located on their campus in Nairobi, Kenya. The BecA network has links with agricultural facilities in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. In addition to these institutional links, the BecA network incorporates 17 countries in eastern and central Africa, including ASARECA member states.