Today, individuals, companies and institutes seeking access to genetic resources have to comply with rules and regulations set by national governments, based to a varying extent on the international agreements mentioned above. As each country is following its own interpretations and procedures, this has led to a complex situation, and sometimes even a feeling that in some countries it is not worth the effort anymore to seek access to genetic resources. Therefore, a project was initiated in 2012 to make an inventory of Access and Benefit-Sharing regulations and their implementation in selected countries in Sub-Sahara Africa, to analyse shortcomings and identify options for improvement, while at the same time establishing a discussion platform between and with policy makers in Sub-Sahara Africa and contributing to trust building between African countries and the Netherlands as the basis for substantial improvements in the exchange of germplasm and the fair and equitable benefit-sharing between the parties involved.