Actionable approaches to empower African research & development

Abstract

The African continent continues to bear a disproportionate burden of global disease, and simultaneously faces substantial barriers to research and development (R&D). While systemic issues such as underinvestment and weak infrastructure persist, African scientists also face daily, practical challenges that hinder innovation and limit the translation of knowledge into health and economic benefits. Drawing on the collective expertise of fourteen senior African scientists funded by the Gates Foundation, the 2021 Calestous Juma Fellows, this report describes six key thematic areas where some of the most pressing barriers to sustainable African-led R&D persist, namely: product development , financial ecosystems , human capital , health data ecosystems , supply chains and logistics , and research culture, equity and excellence . Within each domain, we propose pragmatic and targeted actions that can be implemented in the short to medium term to lower barriers, stimulate innovation and strengthen the continent’s scientific innovation ecosystem. This document is a call to action for researchers, institutions, policymakers, funders and the broader community of stakeholders to actively contribute towards reshaping and enabling Africa’s R&D landscape, in order to realise a future where scientific excellence drives equitable health outcomes, local innovation and better health and wellbeing - both on the continent and globally.