In a groundbreaking development for genetic genealogy, the 23andMe Research Institute has announced a massive expansion of its African ancestry reporting capabilities. The company has increased its African Genetic Groups from just 25 to more than 250, providing unprecedented detail for people of African descent seeking to understand their heritage.
Breaking Through Historical Barriers
For millions of people in the African diaspora, the transatlantic slave trade created what researchers call a 'brick wall' in traditional genealogy, severing paper trails and family connections. The new update, announced on November 20, 2025, aims to help bypass these historical barriers using advanced genetic science.
Steven Micheletti, Ph.D, senior scientist of population genetics at 23andMe Research Institute, emphasized the significance of this development. "This is more than a scientific update; it's a new chapter in the right to know your own story," Micheletti stated. "Seeing your West African ancestry trace to one of 57 specific groups in Nigeria, for example, can be a profound experience."
Unprecedented Detail and Accuracy
The expansion represents a tenfold improvement in the resolution of African ancestry reporting. More than 80% of 23andMe's Black and African American customers using the latest V5 genotyping chip will now see matches to one or more of these high-resolution genetic groups.
The newly detailed genetic groups span across Eastern, Middle, Southern, and Western Sub-Saharan Africa, including:
- 57 Nigerian genetic groups
- 44 Angolan & Congolese genetic groups
- 40 Ethiopian & Eritrean genetic groups
- 32 Ghanaian, Liberian & Sierra Leonean genetic groups
- 28 Somali genetic groups
- 22 Senegambian & Guinean genetic groups
- 9 Sudanese genetic groups
Community-Driven Scientific Advancement
This landmark achievement was made possible by thousands of research-consented 23andMe Research Institute members with documented African ancestry. Their participation enabled the creation of a more inclusive and detailed map of human genetic history that benefits all users.
Prior to this expansion, 23andMe's ancestry reports already held one of the highest ratings from the International Society of Genetic Genealogy for overall accuracy and sophistication. This update further solidifies the company's position as a leader in detailed genetic ancestry analysis.
The 23andMe Research Institute continues to expand its reference panels and refine its scientific methods, with commitments to bring this level of detailed ancestry reporting to all members in future updates.
