UNESCO Regional Consultation on Ethics of Neurotechnology 

The Africa Bioethics Network participated in the Regional Consultation on the Draft Text of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Neurotechnology for English-speaking African countries, held on July 11, 2024. The hybrid consultation was hosted by the Ghana National Commission of UNESCO and Africa Bioethics Network, with physical proceedings taking place at the Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI), University of Nairobi.
The consultation brought together experts from across English-speaking Africa to examine and discuss the draft text prepared by UNESCO's Ad-Hoc Expert Group. Key discussions centered around:
✔ Definition and scope of neurotechnology, including medical and non-medical applications
✔ Ethical challenges specific to the African context, including issues of access, consent, and resource allocation
✔ Protection of vulnerable populations, including children, elderly persons, and people living with disabilities
✔ Data protection and privacy concerns related to cognitive biometric data
✔ Implementation challenges unique to African nations
✔ Need for clear regulatory frameworks and governance mechanisms
Participants emphasized the importance of viewing neurotechnology ethics through an African lens, considering local contexts and challenges. Key recommendations included establishing robust governance mechanisms, protecting vulnerable populations, and ensuring equitable access to neurotechnology benefits.
The consultation highlighted the need for African countries to develop appropriate legal frameworks while maintaining focus on human-centered approaches in neurotechnology development and implementation.