Biotechnological advancements for control of foot and mouth disease in African livestock

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) remains one of the most economically devastating transboundary animal diseases affecting livestock production in Africa, significantly constraining food security, rural livelihoods, and access to international markets. The disease’s persistence is exacerbated by complex epidemiology, multiple circulating serotypes, wildlife–livestock interfaces, and limited surveillance capacity across many African regions. This review examines recent biotechnological advancements that are transforming the prevention, diagnosis, and control of FMD in African livestock systems. Emphasis is placed on innovations in molecular diagnostics such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), recombinant and marker vaccines, next-generation sequencing for viral characterization, and emerging tools including genomic surveillance and bioinformatics. The paper further evaluates the relevance of these technologies within African production contexts, highlighting challenges related to infrastructure, cost, cold-chain dependence, and policy implementation. By integrating biotechnology with coordinated surveillance, regional cooperation, and supportive policy frameworks, African countries can enhance FMD control strategies and move toward sustainable livestock development. The study concludes that biotechnology, when contextually adapted and institutionally supported, offers a critical pathway for reducing the burden of FMD and improving resilience in African livestock systems.