Plants are the world’s most consumed goods. They are of high economic value and bring many health
benefits. In most countries in Africa, the supply and quality of food will rise to meet the growing population’s
increasing demand. Genomics and other biotechnology tools offer the opportunity to improve subsistence
crops and medicinal herbs in the continent. Significant advances have been made in plant genomics,
which have enhanced our knowledge of the molecular processes underlying both plant quality and yield.
The sequencing of complex genomes of African plant species, facilitated by the continuously evolving nextgeneration
sequencing technologies and advanced bioinformatics approaches, has provided new opportunities
for crop improvement. This review summarizes the achievements of genome sequencing projects of
endemic African plants in the last two decades. We also present perspectives and challenges for future plant
genomic studies that will accelerate important plant breeding programs for African communities. These
challenges include a lack of basic facilities, a lack of sequencing and bioinformatics facilities, and a lack of
skills to design genomics studies. However, it is imperative to state that African countries have become key
players in the plant genome revolution and genome derived-biotechnology. Therefore, African governments
should invest in public plant genomics research and applications, establish bioinformatics platforms and
training programs, and stimulate university and industry partnerships to fully deploy plant genomics, particularly
in the fields of agriculture and medicine
