Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI)

Description

The Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI) is a national research and conservation organization in Ethiopia dedicated to safeguarding the country’s rich biological heritage. Originally established in 1976 as the Plant Genetic Resources Center, it evolved over decades—becoming the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research in 1998 and later the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute in 2013—to broaden its role beyond plant genetics to include the conservation and sustainable use of all forms of biological resources, including plants, animals, microbes, and associated indigenous knowledge. The institute’s core responsibilities under national law include implementing Ethiopia’s commitments to international biodiversity conventions, conducting scientific research, managing gene banks, and promoting equitable access to and benefit-sharing from genetic resources. It operates nationwide centers, botanical gardens, and gene banks to support both in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts and collaborates with global partners to strengthen biodiversity reseEBI plays a central role in addressing biodiversity loss and supporting sustainable development in Ethiopia. It maintains one of the country’s largest gene banks, preserving over 92,000 plant genetic samples and diverse animal and microbial specimens, and applies conservation methods tailored to specific species and ecosystems. The institute also contributes actively to national initiatives like the Green Legacy Initiative by supplying millions of indigenous seedlings to restore degraded landscapes, and it leads scientific studies to characterize biodiversity, assess threats, and design conservation strategies that balance ecological integrity with social and economic needs. Through partnerships with universities, international organizations, and local communities, EBI works to integrate traditional knowledge with modern science, promote resilient ecosystems, and enhance Ethiopia’s capacity to conserve its unique and globally significant biodiversity.arch and policy engagement.

Products & Services

Genetic Conservation Service