Science for Africa Foundation

At the #CPHIA2025 side meeting, the Science for Africa Foundation, in partnership with the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), convened an insightful conversation on a critical question: What should clinical trial preparedness for Africa look like in the event of a pandemic? The discussion was rich, honest, and forward-looking. A few reflections stood out: Africa has already shown it can move fast when it matters, as demonstrated during COVID-19 and the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda. The challenge now is making that agility permanent by embedding it into our systems, policies, and daily practice. Africa already has the scaffolding; the task now is to connect, scale, and sustain it before the next pandemic. We also heard how harmonisation through initiatives like AMA and AVAREF doesn’t dilute national authority; it strengthens it by building trust, consistency, and speed across the continent. Clinical trial readiness is no longer just about infrastructure; it’s also about governance, data sovereignty, and trust. Transparent systems make science not only faster but fairer. The conversation reminded us that preparedness requires constant dialogue and genuine, ongoing engagement with communities, not just when a study starts. Building trust and understanding of clinical research must become part of our daily conversations. Finally, as we strengthen trial sites and align with global standards such as GAP-CTS, we must also link this to support for local manufacturing and sustainable capacity. Progress is being made, but it’s time to translate it into daily action across Africa. #CPHIA2025 #ClinicalTrials #PandemicPreparedness #ScienceForAfrica #HealthResearch #AfricaRising Caxton M. Miriam Karinja Verah Moruri Dathan Mirembe Byonanebye Dr. Jacqueline Mirera Dr. Fridah Mwendia

We are seeking a consultant Multimedia Content Specialist to support the growth and visibility of its new podcast, Echoes of Evidence, a Pan-African platform bridging science and society through engaging, relatable conversations. We’re looking for a creative storyteller who understands the power of short-form video and social media to amplify impact. The consultant will help shape how Echoes of Evidence connects with audiences, from everyday citizens to policymakers, ensuring science remains accessible, trusted, and relevant to Africa’s future. If you’re passionate about digital storytelling, science communication, and data-driven creativity, we’d love to hear from you. Application details 🔗 https://bit.ly/43udnPx

Honoured to be Co-Chairing Track 5: Research and Case Studies on One Health and Climate Change Studies at #CPHIA2025 organized by Africa CDC and representing Science for Africa Foundation. The track will focus on “The intersection of zoonoses, climate impacts, and digitalisation to promote integrated One Health responses in Africa.” 📅 Date: October 22-25, 2025 🌍 Location: Durban International Convention Center (ICC), South Africa As #Africa navigates a rapidly changing health landscape, the convergence of animal-human disease spillovers, climate variability, and the rise of digital tools like #AI presents both urgent risks and transformative opportunities. In this track, we will explore how integrated #OneHealth strategies can be accelerated with #ClimateSmart approaches and digital innovation to build resilient health systems. I invite ALL researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and cross-sector collaborators to join the discussion. This is a dialogue that transcends silos, unlocking integrated, actionable solutions for health security and planetary health in Africa. 🔗 Learn more about the conference and programme here: https://lnkd.in/d-PMY9iX #CPHIA2025 #OneHealth #ClimateHealth #DigitalHealth #AfricaHealthSecurity

We are seeking to recruit a Senior Programme Officer to manage a bespoke Leadership Development Programme within the Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative, a high-profile, multi-year partnership between Science for Africa Foundation, the Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI) at the University of Oxford, and the Mastercard Foundation. The Leadership Development Programme is designed to nurture a new generation of African leaders across the pandemic science ecosystem. It aims to strengthen strategic, scientific, and systems-level leadership to empower African institutions in pandemic preparedness, response, and research at both local and global levels. See application details here 🔗 https://bit.ly/3Jp0MGx 🗓️ Application Deadline: 23 October 2025

Why attend our #CPHIA2025 side meeting? Because Africa’s next pandemic response depends on our preparedness today. This session will bring together clinical trial site leaders, regulators, funders, and communities to share lessons from COVID-19, Mpox, Ebola, and Marburg outbreaks and shape a roadmap for self-reliant evidence generation. Don’t miss this chance to contribute to Africa’s health security future #PandemicResilience #AfricaHealth #CPHIA2025 #ClinicalResearch Caxton M. Miriam Karinja Verah Moruri Dathan Mirembe Byonanebye Dr. Jacqueline Mirera Dr. Fridah Mwendia

In this episode of Echoes of Evidence, co-hosts Dr Evelyn Gitau and Lillian Mutengu sit down with Prof Dixon Chibanda, psychiatrist and founder of the Friendship Bench and Director of the African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI), and Constance Mabia, a passionate mental health advocate, to unpack how we talk about and respond to mental health in Africa. Prof Chibanda challenges conventional approaches to diagnosis, questioning the over-medicalisation of human suffering. He calls for a more compassionate, community-centred model, one that values conversation, empathy, and understanding over clinical labels. Constance Mabia brings the lived experience of navigating mental health challenges in African contexts, highlighting the power of dialogue, connection, and culturally grounded care. Watch the episode here https://lnkd.in/dMsP3_Nc #EchoesOfEvidence #WorldMentalHealthDay #WorldMentalHealthMonth

What should clinical trial preparedness for Africa look like in a pandemic? Join us at #CPHIA2025 for a high-level side meeting hosted by the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) and the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI). Together, we’ll unpack how Africa can strengthen its capacity to launch faster, better coordinated, and community-trusted clinical trials during health emergencies. Registration Link: http://bit.ly/478tdk2 #PandemicPreparedness #ClinicalTrials #AfricanScience #CPHIA2025 Caxton M. Miriam Karinja Verah Moruri Dathan Mirembe Byonanebye Jacqueline Mirera

“Modern research demands more than scientific expertise,” says Allen Mukhwana, Head of Programmes at the Science for Africa Foundation. “It requires systems that ensure quality, trust, and impact. The GRMP Standard equips African institutions to grow sustainably, manage resources responsibly, and meet the expectations of funders, policymakers, and communities.” Across the continent, the GRMP Standard is seen as a response to long-standing systemic gaps that limit Africa’s research capacity. For example, with an average of only 20 health researchers per million people in Africa, compared to 246 per million in Europe, many institutions struggle with mentorship, infrastructure, and career development. The new Standard directly addresses these barriers by offering a clear framework for institutional growth, sustainability, and accountability. Access the GRMP Standard from the African Organisation for Standardisation - ARSO website here: https://lnkd.in/dkDCNXz9 #ResearchManagement

Yolisa Nalule, Research Ecosystem Lead Africa, Wellcome Trust described the Good Research Management Practice (GRMP) Standard as “the invisible architecture of research” made visible. For years, due-diligence frameworks have been imported from the Global North, often ill-suited to African realities. This standard is catalytic,it allows funders to align assurance and accountability with local context, and it signals Africa’s growing capacity for self-defined excellence. Access the GRMP Standard from the African Organisation for Standardisation - ARSO website here: https://lnkd.in/dkDCNXz9