Biosensor development in East Africa: a systematic review of technologies, applications, challenges, and future directions

Authors

• Ally Mahadhy, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35179, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Follow

Section

Biological Sciences

Abstract

Biosensors integrate biological recognition elements with signal transduction systems to generate quantitative or semi-quantitative analytical information and have applications across healthcare, food safety, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and wildlife health. Despite substantial global advances, biosensor development in East Africa remains poorly characterized. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, evaluated published evidence from 1995 to 2025 within a predefined East African Community geographical scope. Eligibility was based on IUPAC-aligned operational criteria requiring an integrated biological recognition element, transduction mechanism, and quantitative or semi-quantitative signal output. Three locally developed biosensors met the criteria: an electrochemical nano-biosensor for schistosomiasis diagnosis in Kenya, an electrochemical biosensor for aflatoxin B1 detection in grains in Tanzania, and a label-free electrochemical biosensor for canine distemper virus detection in Tanzania. These studies demonstrate regional capacity to develop biosensors addressing locally relevant health, food-safety, and wildlife-surveillance needs, but reveal a small and technologically concentrated evidence base, with all identified platforms using electrochemical transduction and antibody- or nucleic-acid-based recognition. Selected international examples demonstrated substantially greater technological diversity. Key gaps included analytical and field validation, stability, reproducibility, infrastructure, technical capacity, standardization, regulation, and commercialization. Existing regional science, technology, and bioeconomy initiatives provide opportunities for strengthening collaboration, shared infrastructure, and technology translation. A phased strategy prioritizing validation and standardization, followed by selective technological diversification, regional collaboration, and local manufacturing could support progression from promising prototypes toward robust and deployable biosensor technologies in East Africa.

Recommended Citation

Mahadhy, Ally (2026) "Biosensor development in East Africa: a systematic review of technologies, applications, challenges, and future directions," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 52: Iss. 3, Article 10.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.1127

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