African Countries Accelerate Fight Against Tsetse Flies with Advanced Mapping and Nuclear-Based Technology

African nations are intensifying efforts to eradicate tsetse flies—deadly disease vectors that threaten both human health and livestock—through improved data systems, upgraded laboratories, and the deployment of advanced nuclear-based pest control techniques.

Backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), these initiatives mark a significant shift toward coordinated, science-driven strategies aimed at eliminating one of the continent's most persistent agricultural and public health challenges.

A Persistent Threat to Health and Livelihoods

Tsetse flies are responsible for transmitting trypanosomiasis, a group of diseases that includes sleeping sickness in humans and African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT)—commonly known as nagana—in livestock.

These diseases have long constrained agricultural productivity, rural development, and food security across large parts of sub-Saharan Africa, causing significant economic losses and endangering millions of lives.

Data-Driven Eradication: Mapping the Threat

A cornerstone of the renewed strategy is the development of national tsetse atlases, which map the geographic distribution of the insects and the diseases they spread.

Zambia recently published its first National Atlas on Tsetse in November 2025, replacing outdated and fragmented data systems with a centralized, regularly updated database.

"The new atlas is a powerful tool for managing data and guiding evidence-based strategies," said Kalinga Chilongo, Chief Tsetse Control Biologist in Zambia, highlighting the importance of accurate surveillance in designing targeted eradication campaigns.

The IAEA has expanded training programmes to support atlas development across the continent, including in Angola, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Tanzania. In total, 15 additional countries have received capacity-building support, with 11 currently preparing national atlases for publication.

Nuclear Science at the Forefront: The Sterile Insect Technique

At the heart of Africa's eradication strategy is the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)—a nuclear-based method that has proven highly effective in controlling insect populations.

The process involves:

• Mass-rearing male tsetse flies

• Sterilizing them using ionizing radiation

• Releasing them into the wild to mate with females, resulting in no offspring

Over time, this leads to a gradual collapse of the tsetse population in targeted areas.

To scale up SIT deployment, key facilities have been upgraded, including insectaries in Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, which now have enhanced capacity for mass production of sterile flies.

Regional Hubs Driving Impact

Burkina Faso's Bobo-Dioulasso Insectarium has emerged as a regional centre of excellence, supplying sterile tsetse flies and technical expertise across West Africa.

Between 2017 and 2024, the facility provided 9.5 million sterile male flies to support Senegal's eradication campaign in the Niayes region—an effort widely regarded as a success story in vector control.

Integrated Pest Management for Sustainable Results

Experts emphasize that SIT is most effective when combined with broader area-wide integrated pest management strategies, including surveillance, habitat control, and community engagement.

To guide these efforts, the IAEA updated its Thematic Plan for SIT-based programmes in 2024, incorporating new research, operational challenges, and technological advances.

This integrated approach aims to establish sustainable tsetse-free zones, protecting livestock, improving agricultural productivity, and strengthening rural economies.

Building Capacity for Long-Term Success

A key focus of the initiative is strengthening local technical capacity, ensuring that African countries can independently manage and sustain eradication programmes.

This includes:

• Training scientists and technicians

• Upgrading laboratory infrastructure

• Enhancing data systems and analytical capabilities

"The IAEA is supporting countries to advance coordinated strategies that protect livelihoods and strengthen food security," said Gashaw Wolde, Acting Director for Africa at the IAEA's Department of Technical Cooperation.

Toward a Tsetse-Free Future

While challenges remain—particularly in scaling operations and ensuring sustained funding—the progress achieved through these initiatives signals a turning point in Africa's long-standing battle against tsetse flies.

By combining cutting-edge technology, regional cooperation, and data-driven planning, African countries are moving closer to a future where tsetse-transmitted diseases no longer pose a barrier to development.

The success of these efforts could unlock vast agricultural potential, improve public health outcomes, and contribute significantly to food security across the continent.