African scientific leaders from eight countries have called for urgent, Africa-led reforms to strengthen health research and development (R&D) systems amid major disruptions in global health funding that threaten access to healthcare across the continent.
The call was made by 14 Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellows from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, in a commentary published on January 15, 2025, in Nature Health. The Fellows outlined practical, locally grounded actions to unlock Africa’s health research potential and build more resilient R&D ecosystems.
They warned that while national and regional policies have attempted to address long-standing barriers in Africa’s research landscape, many challenges persist at the operational level, limiting innovation, productivity, and impact.
“The challenges we face as Africans in the current rapidly changing international funding environment underscore the importance of engaging in relevant actions to collectively shape a bright future for African R&D,” the authors stated.
Lead author, Prof. Nicki Tiffin, Deputy Director of the South African National Bioinformatics Institute at the University of the Western Cape, said that although some obstacles are complex, many are practical and solvable through context-specific interventions aligned with local needs.
To lower systemic barriers, the Fellows identified six priority areas requiring urgent attention:
product development, financial ecosystems, human capital, health data ecosystems, supply chains and logistics, and research culture, equity, and excellence.
They called for a sustainable, private sector-led R&D ecosystem to accelerate innovation and commercialization; diversified domestic financing involving public, private, and philanthropic investment; and the development of a robust R&D workforce supported by clear career pathways and expanded access to STEM education.
Other priorities include building strong health data infrastructure, improving digital skills, strengthening supply chains to support timely access to quality inputs, and fostering an inclusive research culture grounded in mentorship, ethical practice, and excellence.
Highlighting operational bottlenecks, Prof. Iruka Okeke of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, said procurement and logistics systems often fail to align with the realities of research and development.
“Yet these same systems worked efficiently during the COVID-19 pandemic, showing that current challenges can be addressed through collaborative interventions,” she noted.
Dr. Yaw Bediako, CEO of Yemaachi Biotech and Dean of Research and Innovation at Ashesi University, Ghana, said Africa is at a critical demographic and scientific inflexion point.
“Strategic investment in product development can transform youth potential, biodiversity, and scientific ingenuity into innovation, real-world impact, and prosperity for future generations,” he said.
The Fellows’ appeal aligns with a broader movement within Africa’s scientific community demanding delivery-focused, locally grounded reform rather than symbolic commitments.
“This is not a wish list,” said Prof. Tom Kariuki, Chief Executive Officer of the Science for Africa Foundation, which supports the Fellowship’s communications. “It is an invitation to act together, using approaches that are already within reach. Africa’s health challenges are urgent, but so are the solutions.”
The Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship, launched in 2021 and funded by the Gates Foundation, supports African researchers to build scientific leadership and strengthen research and innovation ecosystems across the continent.
