Skip to main content
Image
Loading

Grand Challenges Africa

Spurring Science Innovation,
Translation and Entrepreneurship
in Africa


Science Innovation Pathways | Science Innovation, Translation and Entrepreneurship Programme | Grand Challenges Africa

WHAT WE DO

GC AFRICA

The Grand Challenges Africa (GC Africa) initiative seeks to promote Africa-led scientific innovations to help countries better achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by awarding seed and scale-up grants to the continent’s most impressive solutions. GC Africa supports big, bold impactful innovative ideas that have a potential for impact, scale and sustainability.

The focus for Grand Challenges Africa is not new academic research but impactful robust solutions and products from scientific research. GC Africa builds on the previous successes of local Grand Challenges initiatives and a strong base of African Grand Challenges grantees.

Grand Challenges Africa is part of the Grand Challenges family of initiatives, which seeks to engage innovators from around the world to solve science, technology and innovation, health and developmental challenges. Grand Challenges initiatives are united by their focus on fostering innovation, directing research to where it will have the most impact, and serving those most in need. The first phase of the GC Africa, started in 2017, was implemented at the African Academy of Sciences with the support of funding partners.


"It's important to bring all good minds to address important problems and Grand Challenges Africa has enabled researchers create research communities which enable scientists in the same field to talk, collaborate and learn from each other" Iruka Okeke Prof. Ibadan University, Nigeria

GC Africa

Drone Surveying Oilseed Crops to Help Farming Data

GC Africa's second phase is now managed and implemented by the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation).

The challenge also encourages partnerships that bring together investigators from diverse organizations, including for-profit institutions, non-governmental organisations, academic and health research institutions, foundations, and civil society groups. We believe that there is no unilateral access to ideas.

Today, a variety of funding partners use "Grand Challenges" to accelerate research, creating an expanding network of funding and research partnerships spanning diverse topics. The Grand Challenges family includes, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Grand Challenges Canada, United States Agency for International Development, Grand Challenges Brazil, Grand Challenges India, Grand Challenges South Africa, Grand Challenges Ethiopia, Grand Challenges Botswana and Grand Challenges Africa.


Our Program Approach:
  • Identifying scientific priority areas: GC Africa brings together scientists, experts and stakeholders from different fields to map out priority areas that would need a concerted effort or solutions from African innovators.
  • Sourcing innovation: Develop, launch and manage Africa-specific Grand Challenges targeted to address issues of health and development that are preventing African countries from reaching the SDGs. Since its inception, GC Africa has announced 15 funding rounds/calls for proposals including : Maternal Neonatal Child Health (MNCH) in Africa; 2. Data science approaches to improve MNCH in Africa; 3. Innovation for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in urban settings; 4. New approaches to characterize the global burden of antimicrobial resistance; 5. Drug discovery; 6. Innovative solutions to achieve food security and nutrition targets in Africa.; and 7. Transition To Scale (TTS) grants (l and 2)
  • Providing follow-on funding: Support translation and scaling of promising Phase I grants, both from the existing portfolios and from new Phase I grants sponsored by Grand Challenges Africa. These promising ideas are funded through transition grants of up to $1 M scaling up innovations which have already received 5100,000 seed grants and that show promise of expansion and have applied for this additional scaling up funding.
  • Expand the Grand Challenges Network: Support other African countries to launch national or regional Grand Challenges initiatives that fund innovators to pursue health and development solutions that further both national and global priorities and expand the funding base. Country specific initiatives are Grand Challenge South Africa, Grand Challenges Ethiopia and Grand Challenges Botswana.
  • Build a cohort of scientists that work collaboratively to manage any ecosystem challenges that may arise during delivery of their projects. One of the projects towards this is GCAiN
Our Guiding Principles
  • Strategic and well-articulated grand challenges serve both to focus research efforts and to capture the imagination and engage the world's best researchers.
  • Opportunities for networking with: colleagues in the fellowship, partners, and strategic programmatic leads.
  • Projects are selected based on open transparent calls for proposals seeking the best ideas.
  • Funders, investors and other stakeholders actively collaborate to accelerate progress and integrate advances to ensure that these advances serve those most in need.
  • Projects and investigators make global access commitments to ensure the fruits of their research are available to those most in need.
  • Projects are selected not only for scientific excellence but also for the likelihood for them to achieve the desired impact and they are milestone-driven and actively managed to the end.
Adeladza Kofi Amegah
2022
Ghana
GCA
MNCH Data
Dietary and Environmental Mediators of Socio-Economic Inequalities in Child Undernutrition in West Africa
Ademonla Djalal Arinloye
2024
Benin
GCA
Climate & Agriculture Adaptation
Innovative climate-smart agricultural practices and knowledge scaling-up in vulnerable regions of Benin (INNOCSAB)

Innovative climate-smart agricultural practices and knowledge scaling-up in vulnerable regions of Benin (INNOCSAB).

Innovative climate-smart agricultural practices and knowledge scaling-up in vulnerable regions of Benin (INNOCSAB).

The project team will investigate to what extend climate-smart agricultural practices and knowledge scaling-up can contribute to building resilience of agro-ecosystems and human systems in West Africa. Studies have shown that most smallholders who rely heavily on agriculture do not always have the knowledge, information and training needed to adopt agroecological measures and sustainable farming systems that support land management. The project will use an innovative approach of scaling the use of climate information through the Participatory and Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA), combining existing CSA technologies to adapt and mitigate climate change effects by training extension services, farmers, NGO, and researchers using Climate Smart Villages and Valleys (CSV) and Rural Resource Centers (RRC). We will then assess improvement of the profitability, productivity and sustainability of smallholder farming, household nutritional security and dietary diversity and income generation through integrated crop, tree, and livestock production systems.

Read more
Adriana C. Bonomo - GIISER Brazil
2024
Brazil
GCA
GIISER
Examining the Role of T -cells in Metastasis Oral Tolerance Using a Probiotic as an Adjuvant Therapy to Prevent Graft Vs. Host Disease
Adriana C. Bonomo, MD, PhD, is trained in basic cellular immunology at the Carlos Chagas Biophysics Institute at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, with post-doctoral training at the NIH/USA. She is a researcher at the Brazilian National Council Research (CNPq) and a state scientist for the Rio de Janeiro State Research Foundation.

Bonomo’s expertise is in the cellular immunology of tolerance and T cells. She has demonstrated the role of thymic epithelium in central tolerance, the escape of unselected T cells in autoimmunity models, and the supportive function of T cells in bone metastases of breast tumors. Her group currently studies the influence of T cells in metastasis; oral tolerance using a probiotic as an adjuvant therapy to prevent Graft vs. Host disease, and, more recently, neuroimmunology of the developing brain and strategies to regulate neuroinflammation. Bonomo’s team studied select monoclonal antibodies in three human cohorts at the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic: infected patients with household transmission evaluation in health workers and Chagas Disease in COVID-19 patients, looking at humoral, cellular and innate immunity.

Read more
Adrienne Edkins
2022
South Africa
GCA
Drug Discovery 1
The DnaJ-DnaK-GrpE Complex as a Selective Drug Target in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Alex Sigal - GIISER South Africa
2024
South Africa
GCA
GIISER
Immune Response to Emerging Viruses, Virus Countermeasures Against Immunity, and Viral Evolution to Evade Immunity
Prof Alex Sigal works at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) and Hebrew University of Jerusalem, working on emerging infections with a focus on the immune response to emerging viruses, virus countermeasures against immunity, and viral evolution to evade immunity.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sigal lab pivoted to SARS-CoV-2 research and was the first to describe the escape of the Omicron variant from previous immunity.

Sigal received his Ph.D. in Systems Biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and was a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Nobel Laureate David Baltimore at the California Institute of Technology, where he worked on HIV cell-to-cell spread and its effects on antiretroviral therapy.

Read more
Alphonsus Chinedu Ugwu - GIISER Nigeria
2024
Nigeria
GCA
GIISER
Understanding how the Immune System Modulates the Outcome of Viral Infection
Dr Alphonsus Chinedu Ugwu is lead for the Global Immunology and Immune Sequencing for Epidemic Response in Nigeria (GIISER-Nigeria) project Africa Rapid Immunosurveillance system (ARISE), serving in partnership with Principal Investigator Prof Christian Happi.

Ugwu’s research seeks to understand how the immune system modulates the outcome of viral infection. It examines the correlates of protective immune response to viral infections such as Lassa Fever virus, SARS-CoV-2, and other endemic viral diseases in West Africa. Findings will be vital for vaccine and therapeutic design, production of diagnostics, and to inform public health policies. Ugwu has vast experience in setting up, training and supervising standardised immune assays such as binding antibody ELISA, virus pseudo type neutralization assay, ELISpot, Luminex multiplex ELISA, cell culture, flow cytometry, western blot, polymerase chain reaction and single-cell RNA sequencing, and can perform all of these assays in both BSL2 and 3 containment facility. He has published and reviewed scientific journals on the immunology of infectious diseases and published the first Lassa immune correlate data generated in-country, demonstrating that both symptomatic survivors and their asymptomatic contacts produce binding and neutralizing antibody responses and T-cell responses that are cross-reactive across different LASV lineages.

Read more
Angela Dramoski
2022
South Africa
GCA
MNCH Data
Modelling the Mortality Impact of Treatment Regimens for Antimicrobial-Resistant Neonatal Bloodstream Infections in 7 African Countries
Anthony Ngugi
2022
Kenya
GCA
MNCH Data
Optimizing Child Nutrition Investments for Increased Impact in High-Risk Populations in Kenya
Barbara Zewede
2024
Uganda
GCA
Climate & Agriculture Adaptation
Scaling-up Uptake and Effective Use of Climate Resilient Innovations to Address Challenges Affecting Youth-led Agribusinesses in the Chicken Value Chain in Uganda and Burundi

Scaling-up Uptake and Effective Use of Climate Resilient Innovations to Address Challenges Affecting Youth-led Agribusinesses in the Chicken Value Chain in Uganda and Burundi

Scaling-up Uptake and Effective Use of Climate Resilient Innovations to Address Challenges Affecting Youth-led Agribusinesses in the Chicken Value Chain in Uganda and Burundi

Barbara Mugwanya Zawedde of the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in Uganda and partners will facilitate increased uptake and effective use of climate resilient innovations to address challenges affecting youth-led agribusinesses in the chicken value chain in Uganda and Burundi. Youth have invested along the chicken value chain as a feasible source of income and employment, however, many are discouraged due to limited output resulting from use of technologies that are not adapted to the ever-changing climate. They will strengthen existing multi-stakeholder innovation platforms use them to identify, co-learn and reprioritize climate resilient innovations for the chicken value chain. They will use a Resilient Innovation Plan Model (RIPM) to optimize and recommend resilient options for different scenarios for the targeted agro-ecological zones. They will produce translated audio-visuals about the prioritized climate resilient innovations, and use digital solutions at Farmers Service Centers to disseminate the information to rural communities

Read more
Blaise Pascal Bougnom
2024
Cameroon
GCA
Climate & Health
Predicting Drug-Resistant Bacterial Dynamics in Maternity Wards of Burkina Faso and Cameroon under Climate Change: A Precision Public Health Study
Dr Blaise Bougnom is a distinguished environmental microbiologist specializing in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research, focusing on healthcare settings and urban agriculture in Africa. His research investigates the mechanisms of AMR gene spread in hospitals, wastewater systems and the environment.

This study investigates the link between climate variations and the dynamics of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in maternity wards in Burkina Faso and Cameroon. By focusing on antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the research aims to mitigate their adverse effects on maternal and neonatal health.

Through comprehensive sampling, whole-genome sequencing, and analysis of environmental factors like temperature, humidity and airflow, the study will develop advanced models to predict future ARB dynamics under various climate scenarios. These predictions will inform targeted interventions, including enhanced hygiene practices, antibiotic stewardship, and environmental adjustments, in collaboration with healthcare professionals and local communities. 

The project seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between climate change, drug-resistant bacterial dynamics, maternal and neonates health, leading to effective interventions and evidence-based recommendations for wider implementation.

Read more
Brian Turyabagye
2024
Uganda
GCA
AI in Health
MamaOpeAI: Clinical Decision Support to manage respiratory illnesses

Brian Turyabagye of MamaOpe Medicals in Uganda will develop an AI-based platform integrated with the MamaOpe screening tool to enhance the diagnosis and management of respiratory illnesses.

Brian Turyabagye of MamaOpe Medicals in Uganda will develop an AI-based platform integrated with the MamaOpe screening tool to enhance the diagnosis and management of respiratory illnesses.

Read more

Read more
Charles Sande - GIISER Kenya
2024
Kenya
GCA
GIISER
Examining Molecular Mechanisms that Predict Adverse Outcomes in African Children Admitted with Sepsis and other Severe Acute Infections
Dr Charles Sande is Associate Professor of Immunology and Infection at the Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health at the University of Oxford UK, and a Research Fellow at the KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya.

Dr Charles Sande focuses on the Respiratory Syncytial Virus, seeking to understand local immune response to the virus in the airway. Secondary interests include vaccinology, serology, and systems immunology. Most recently, Sande’s work has looked at the molecular mechanisms that predict adverse outcomes in African children admitted to the hospital with sepsis and other severe acute infections. He and his team deploy a wide array of systems tools, including proteomics, transcriptomics, and traditional protein microarrays. Their goal is to develop a fuller understanding of why some children have a significantly higher risk of dying shortly after admission to the hospital.

Read more
Chris Seebregts
2022
South Africa
GCA
MNCH Data
Harnessing Data Science and Analytics to Strengthen Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Monitoring and Eliminate HIV Transmission in Low-Resource Settings
Cleo Conacher
2024
South Africa
GCA
Climate & Health
Enhancing Fungal Pathogen Surveillance to Protect Vulnerable Communities amidst Climate Change
Cleo Conacher is a rising researcher in yeast eco-physiology, conducting a postdoctoral fellowship in Prof Alf Botha’s laboratory at the Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University. She is supported by the South African National Research Foundation and the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust.

The World Health Organization is urging better tracking of fungal pathogens, which pose serious health risks to people with weakened immune systems, particularly in South Africa. Currently, there is a lack of understanding about how these infections occur and spread in at-risk communities, especially as climate change alters environmental conditions. Our project, supported by the Grand Challenges Africa initiative, aims to address this gap by developing a comprehensive system to monitor and study fungal pathogens in relation to environmental conditions. We plan to engage with local communities to learn how people are exposed to these fungi, especially through water.

We are designing a new tool to monitor river water for harmful fungi and will use the collected data to help public health officials better assess risks and protect communities. By collaborating with community groups, our research will directly support efforts to reduce the spread of harmful fungi, protect vulnerable populations, and adapt to the impacts of climate change on public health.

Read more
David Kamau
2024
Kenya
GCA
AI in Health
AI-Driven Clinical Decision Support: Transforming Non-Communicable Diseases care in Kiambu County, Kenya

David Kamau of Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital in Kenya will integrate ChatGPT and a medical Large Language Model with the existing health management information systems in Kiambu County, Kenya, to provide clinical decision support for noncommunicable diseases.

David Kamau of Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital in Kenya will integrate ChatGPT and a medical Large Language Model with the existing health management information systems in Kiambu County, Kenya, to provide clinical decision support for noncommunicable diseases.

Read more

Read more
David Kamugundu
2024
Rwanda
GCA
AI in Health
AI-Enhanced Clinical Decision Support for Nurse-Led Health Posts in Rwanda: Disrupting primary healthcare in Africa - “The AI-EnabledNurse Project”.

David Kamugundu of eFiche Limited in Rwanda will develop an AI-based platform to support nurses in Rwanda in accurate and efficient diagnosis and patient treatment.

David Kamugundu of eFiche Limited in Rwanda will develop an AI-based platform to support nurses in Rwanda in accurate and efficient diagnosis and patient treatment.

Read more

Read more
Dennis Maorwe
2024
Kenya
GCA
AI in Health
Leveraging AI to Address Disease Management Knowledge Gaps among Persons Living with Sickle Cell Disease (PLSCD) in Kenya

Dennis Maorwe of DPE Company Limited in Kenya will develop a Large Language Model (LLM) to support the planning and execution of behavior change interventions to improve health outcomes for Kenyans living with SCD.

Dennis Maorwe of DPE Company Limited in Kenya will develop a Large Language Model (LLM) to support the planning and execution of behavior change interventions to improve health outcomes for Kenyans living with SCD.

Read more

Read more
Deo Shirima
2024
Tanzania
GCA
Climate & Agriculture Adaptation
Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Rural Communities and Agro-Food Industries along Kilombero River Floodplains Landscape, Tanzania

Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Rural Communities and Agro-Food Industries along Kilombero River Floodplains Landscape, Tanzania

Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Rural Communities and Agro-Food Industries along Kilombero River Floodplains Landscape, Tanzania

A Research team at Sokoine University of Agriculture see to generate spatial explicit social, ecological, climatic, and land tenure/cover landscape data for the purpose of developing climate risks and opportunity models. The study will come up with landscape climate risk and vulnerability information with potential to develop early warning indicators, and financial opportunities. They use scenario and spatial modeling approach to develop framework strategies to inform policy decisions at the local landscape scale. In the future will aim to expand to similar systems (small holder/industry farming systems, sugarcane farming and restoration of riparian zones in Eastern/Southern Africa to benefit sustainability of small scale agro-food industries, on farm production (soil retention, resilience to floods and other climate extremes) and biodiversity (microclimate, habitat, connectivity of habitat), taking advantages of technological advancement and unfolding financial resources.

Read more
Dessalew Yohannes Bogale
2024
Ethiopia
GCA
Climate & Agriculture Adaptation
Establishing Multi-Model Agricultural Data Science Hub (MM-ADSH)

Establishing Multi-Model Agricultural Data Science Hub (MM-ADSH)

Establishing Multi-Model Agricultural Data Science Hub (MM-ADSH)

Climate change, drought, floods are some of the major challenges that agriculture in Ethiopia goes through. Farmers have always had to cope with variables beyond their control, from the weather to the rate of vegetation. In recent years, however, the growth of data science technology has given farmers a new method to help them make sense of all the information they collect to track weather, predict demand changes, to optimize irrigation systems, to increase crop yields, reduce water usage, improve the quality of their products and etc..Dessalew Yohannes Bogale of Jimma University, Ethiopia will establish a Multi-Model Agricultural Data Science Hub (MM-ADSH) to accelerate the uptake of multi-modal agricultural data integration, facilitate knowledge creation and technology development that will enable data-driven solutions for climate adaptation. It is to increase capacities of researchers and innovators through training, and guidance with a particular focus on agricultural data utilization. Moreover, the project team will facilitate networking, engagement and collaboration between stakeholders.

Read more
Devotha Nyambo
2024
Tanzania
GCA
Climate & Health
Empowering Local Communities fight Vector-borne Diseases in the face of Climate Change by using Artificial Intelligence
Dr Devotha Nyambo Devotha leads the Artificial Intelligence and Complexity Sciences research group at the NM-AIST, and the Agriculture and Environmental Conservation group at the Africa's Anglophone Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) Multidisciplinary Research Lab, funded by IDRC and Sida.

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) like malaria and dengue pose significant public health challenges in Tanzania, exacerbated by climate change. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall enable disease-carrying mosquitoes to thrive in new areas, putting vulnerable communities at greater risk. To tackle this growing threat, Dr. Devotha Nyambo of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) is leading a groundbreaking study that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance disease surveillance and prediction. However, for AI models to be truly effective, they must incorporate real-world data from the communities affected. Dr. Nyambo’s team will work with local populations in Morogoro, Manyara, and Dar es Salaam, engaging particularly with women, to gather on-the-ground data on mosquito breeding sites and disease cases. This community-driven approach will improve the accuracy of AI predictions and foster a robust early warning system for timely public health interventions.

Ultimately, this AI-powered initiative aims to enhance disease prediction, empower communities, and build resilience against climate-driven health threats. Dr Nyambo's vision of combining AI with community engagement could revolutionize the fight against VBDs in Tanzania and beyond.

Read more
Diana Karanja
2024
Kenya
GCA
Climate & Health
Empowering Women through Climate-Responsive Community Health Information to Tackle Schistosomiasis
Dr Diana Karanja is an accomplished health researcher and the Director of COHESU, with a profound commitment to improving community health and well-being. With extensive experience as a Chief Research Officer at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

While over 90% of schistosomiasis cases occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, challenges remain in moving from disease control to elimination. This study, conducted in Kisumu District, a schistosomiasis-endemic region of Kenya, aims to reduce the disease burden by empowering women through a community health information system. The project will explore the critical role of women’s empowerment in ensuring access to schistosomiasis treatment for themselves and their families. This project will use household surveys to assess the impact of women’s empowerment on schistosomiasis management and will analyze climate data to create a disease risk model

By leveraging the climate sensitivity of schistosomiasis, we will develop an innovative climate risk information system tailored to women and their households, improving the timing and effectiveness of treatments.  The project will culminate in the co-creation of a community health system with stakeholders, providing locally relevant public health information and

Read more
Diariétou Sambakhe
2024
Senegal
GCA
Climate & Agriculture Adaptation
An intelligent decision support for breeding future climate change resistant millet varieties in Senegal

An intelligent decision support for breeding future climate change resistant millet varieties in Senegal

An intelligent decision support for breeding future climate change resistant millet varieties in Senegal

Diariétou Sambakhe of the Regional Center of Excellence for dry cereals research (CERAAS) in Senegal will co-design an open-acces platform for knowledge sharing of annual ideotype maps of climate change resilient millet varieties in Senegal. The adaptation of crop varieties to their growing environment is the key factor supporting their performance. Regardless of genetic progress, the performance of major varieties still varies according to climatic conditions, crop management and pest pressure in the local environment. Knowledge of the interactions between variety traits, the environment and 'farmers' is needed to improve the performance of these varieties. They will redefine more precisely the millet growing areas in Senegal by considering the environmental conditions, crop management and pest pressure to predict their response to future climate conditions. They will identify better combinations of agro-morphological and genetic traits adapted to climate change. They will design an open access platform for knowledge sharing with stakeholders.

Read more
Dinkorma Ouologuem
2022
South Africa
GCA
Drug Discovery 1
Identification of Plasmodium Falciparum Transmission Blocking Compounds

Identification of Plasmodium Falciparum Transmission Blocking Compounds

Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB)
South Africa

 

 

Read more
Edwin Murungi
2022
Kenya
GCA
Drug Discovery 1
Targeting Protein Kinases for the Development of Novel Drugs for Trematode Infections
Elizabeth Kigondu
2024
Kenya
GCA
Non-Hormonal Drug Discovery
Research and Development of a Non-Hormonal Natural Product Based Female Contraceptive

Research and Development of a Non-Hormonal Natural Product Based Female Contraceptive

Research and Development of a Non-Hormonal Natural Product Based Female Contraceptive

Elizabeth V. M. Kigondu of the Center for Traditional Medicine & Drug Research (CTMDR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is going to be exploring extracts and compounds from plants used traditionally in Kenya and reported to have a contraceptive effect, for further development of a non-hormonal natural product based female contraceptive. In some parts of Kenya, some communities use seeds or other plant parts as antifertility agents and some of these plants have been proven scientifically to have an antifertility effect in various animal models. In a small study carried out by Elizabeth’s team at KEMRI, they were able to demonstrate that one of our indigenous plants has an antifertility effect in mice. This study has formed the basis of the current project recently funded by the Gates Foundation, through the Science for Africa Foundation, where they plan to investigate the plant further, in addition to other selected plants, to establish the safety, the mechanism of action and identify the active components in the active extracts.    

 

Read more
Elizabeth Kigondu
2022
Kenya
GCA
Drug Discovery 2
Identification of Novel Synthetic and Natural Product Semi-Synthetic Derivatives Targeting Mycobacterium smegmatis and M. tuberculosis Spectinomycin and Rifampicin Efflux Pumps
Emery Metelo
2024
Congo (Democratic Republic)
GCA
Climate & Health
Engaging Women and Youth as Catalysts for Sustainable Aedes Control: A Community Participatory Model in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Dr Emery Metelo is an expert in vector ecology and vector control, he has extensive experience in coordinating both national and international projects on surveillance and the development of innovative vector control strategies.

The project will mobilise communities to raise awareness of the need for environmental sanitation and mass trapping, a technique that has already proved promise and is suitable for insecticide-resistant outdoor Aedes in Kinshasa. The intervention will be evaluated based on a randomized controlled before and after study in two health zones of Kinshasa. A baseline serosurvey will be performed to document the prevalence of arbovirus risk in the community. Entomological and process-based indicators will be collected to assess the impact of the intervention. 

The community-based approach aims to enable community groups to act as agents of change to minimize the effects of climate change on the health risk posed by Aedes mosquitoes. The approach aim to: (i) reduce larval habitats while breaking the cycle in which humans create a favourable environment for Aedes mosquitoes, (ii) increase community knowledge and skills in Aedes vector control, and (iii) to foster community ownership of Aedes vector control strategies. 

The immediate expected result will be a diminished nuisance of Aedes and other mosquitoes in the selected communities, which will be the incentive for the target groups to continue the efforts and involve new participants.

Read more
Erick Strauss
2022
South Africa
GCA
Drug Discovery 2
Countering Anti-Microbial Resistance Through Chemical Manipulation of the Pathogen-Host Interaction
Fabrice Boyom
2022
Cameroon
GCA
Drug Discovery 1
Discovery of New Drug Candidates Against Malaria, Leishmaniasis and Trypanosomiasis Through Screening of Chemical Libraries
Fortunate Mokoena
2022
South Africa
GCA
Drug Discovery 2
Identification of Novel Inhibitors Against Malarial and Trypanosomal Hsp90
Francis Kombe
2024
South Africa
GCA
AI in Health
Revolutionising Research Ethics And Regulatory Systems for Clinical Trials Through the Integration of Artificial Intelligence Ethics Review Decision Making Model

Francis Kombe of EthiXPERT NPC in South Africa will develop an AI-based platform to support African research ethics committees and clinical trial decision-making. It will build on their cloud-based, online review system RHInnO Ethics.

Francis Kombe of EthiXPERT NPC in South Africa will develop an AI-based platform to support African research ethics committees and clinical trial decision-making. It will build on their cloud-based, online review system RHInnO Ethics.

Read more

Read more
Fred Kaggwa
2024
Kenya
GCA
AI in Health
Dialogues of Delivery: Fine-Tuning Large Language Models for Prenatal and Perinatal Care in East African Languages

Fred Kaggwa of Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda will develop an LLM for answering questions related to prenatal and postpartum care in Uganda in three languages: Swahili, Runyankore-Rukiga, and Luganda.

Fred Kaggwa of Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda will develop an LLM for answering questions related to prenatal and postpartum care in Uganda in three languages: Swahili, Runyankore-Rukiga, and Luganda.

Read more

Read more
Gabriel Mashabela
2022
South Africa
GCA
Drug Discovery 2
Utilization of Pathway-Selective Sensitized Mycobacterial CRISPRi Mutants to Generate High Quality Hits from Plant-Derived Natural Product Libraries
Geoffrey Arunga
2022
Kenya
GCA
Applying Supervised Machine Learning to Develop an Adaptive Risk-Scoring Tool to Predict Maternal Morbidity and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Grace Mugumbate
2022
Zimbabwe
GCA
Drug Discovery 2
Chemogenomic-Guided Identification and Optimization of Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum Heat Shock Proteins (PfHSPs) as Potential Anti-Malarial Drugs
Heinrich Hoppe
2022
South Africa
GCA
Drug Discovery 1
Novel Arf GTPase Assays for Antimalarial Drug Discovery
Inès Vigan-Womas - GIISER Senegal
2024
Senegal
GCA
GIISER
How to Turn R&D Program Data Into Impactful Public Health Measures and Strategies
Dr Inès Vigan-Womas (PhD, HDR) is Research Director at Institut Pasteur, engaged in research collaborations and partnerships around infectious diseases in the Pasteur Network and globally. He is a cellular biologist and immunologist by training; in the last two decades, she has acquired extensive expertise in field-based study, malaria, and immunity to infectious diseases.

In response to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, she built on her immunology experience to measure humoral (ELISA and multiplex MagPix Bead-based assays) and cellular immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. She also built capacity to isolate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for vaccine and diagnostic development (a GIISER collaboration funded by BMGF). Her focus now is on how to turn R&D program data into impactful public health measures and strategies.  Since June 2023, Vigan-Womas has been Coordinator of the CEPI centralized Laboratory at Institut Pasteur de Dakar, focusing on serosurveillance of endemic and epidemic prone diseases (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, SARS-CoV-2, vaccine preventable diseases andhemorrhagic fever diseases.) She is also a passionate advocate for increasing scientific capacity in Africa and supporting young African scientists

Read more
Iruka Okeke
2022
Nigeria
GCA
Drug Discovery 1
Anti-Adhesins with Therapeutic Potential for Enteroaggregative Escherichia Coli Diarrhoea
Janine Aucamp
2022
South Africa
GCA
Drug Discovery 2
A 3D Clinostat-Based Bioreactor Model of Liver-Stage Plasmodium falciparum and its Applications in Parasite Biochemistry and Anti-Malarial Drug Discovery
Jayanta Bhattacharya - GIISER India
2024
India
GCA
GIISER
Isolating And Characterizing Human Monoclonal Antibodies by Antigen-Specific B Cell Cloning, Antigenic Characterization of Evolving Variants and Vaccine Effectiveness in Hybrid and Non-Hybrid Immunity Settings
Dr Jayanta Bhattacharya is Dean at the Biotechnology Research Innovation Council (BRIC)-Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI), India and Professor & Head of its Center for Virus Research, Vaccines, and Therapeutics. He is Principal Investigator of the Molecular and Translational Virology (MTV), overseeing the IAVI-THSTI Antibody Translational Research Programme.

Under the GIISER-India portfolio, Dr Jayanta Bhattacharya leads the group at THSTI isolating and characterizing human monoclonal antibodies by antigen-specific B cell cloning, antigenic characterization of evolving variants and vaccine effectiveness in hybrid and non-hybrid immunity settings. He supervises several undergraduate and PhD students, as well as Principal, Senior and Junior Scientists and technical associates.

Read more
Jennifer Serwanga - GIISER Uganda
2024
Uganda
GCA
GIISER
Identification of Biomarkers of Protection and the Development of Robust Virus-Specific Antibody Assays
Dr Jennifer Serwanga is a Principal Research Scientist in Immunology and Assistant Director of Research at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). She is a leader in immunology and vaccine development with over two decades of experience, conducting pivotal studies to profile immune responses to COVID-19, HIV, Ebola, and Rift Valley Fever, significantly advancing global vaccine development.

Serwanga's leadership in immune profiling and monoclonal antibody discovery, funded by GIISER, has led to the identification of biomarkers of protection and the development of robust virus-specific antibody assays. Her work with 10x Genomics has revolutionized the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning immune response, and her contributions to COVID-19 vaccine research have positioned UVRI as a central hub for epidemic preparedness. She is dedicated to the mentorship of emerging scientists and fostering international collaborations in the fight against global epidemics and viral diseases.

Read more
Jesse Gitaka
2024
Kenya
GCA
AI in Health
Aifya: Using GPT-4 to Enhance Newborn Care in Bungoma County, Kenya

Jesse Gitaka of Mount Kenya University in Kenya will develop the GPT-4 AI model to support healthcare providers with up-to-date medical information for improved clinical decision-making and neonatal care.

Jesse Gitaka of Mount Kenya University in Kenya will develop the GPT-4 AI model to support healthcare providers with up-to-date medical information for improved clinical decision-making and neonatal care.

Read more

Read more
Jinal N. Bhiman - GIISER South Africa
2024
South Africa
GCA
GIISER
Establishing Immunological Surveillance and Develop Immunodiagnostics for Locally and Regionally Relevant Pathogens, with an Additional Focus on Training and Capacity Augmentation
Dr Jinal N. Bhiman Bhiman has ten years of experience (2009-2019) in HIV virus-host dynamics, where she investigated HIV intra-host evolution, isolated anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies and assessed immunogenicity of HIV vaccine immunogens in multiple animal models.

The Global Immunology and Immune Sequencing for Epidemic Response (GIISER) site in South Africa aims to establish immunological surveillance and develop immuno-diagnostics for locally and regionally relevant pathogens, with an additional focus on training and capacity augmentation within the GIISER network. Bhiman co-leads, with Prof. Penny L. Moore, the Global Immunology, and Immune Sequencing for Epidemic Response in South Africa (GIISER-SA) at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

Read more
Joseph Akuze Waiswa
2022
Uganda
GCA
MNCH Data
Improving Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Data Capture and Quality in Household Surveys: Big-Data Interdisciplinary Advances Using the Every Newborn-Indepth Multi-Country Survey Database
Kevin Korir
2024
Kenya
GCA
AI in Health
Optimizing Health Policy Enactment, Implementation, and Monitoring by Application of Large Language Models (LLMs)

Kevin Korir of Visortech Solutions in Kenya in partnership with Yemaya Health Advisory will develop an LLM to map the process of health policy creation and approval, serving as a tool for quicker translation of new evidence into policies.

Kevin Korir of Visortech Solutions in Kenya in partnership with Yemaya Health Advisory will develop an LLM to map the process of health policy creation and approval, serving as a tool for quicker translation of new evidence into policies.

Read more

Read more
Kwadwo Danso-Mensah
2024
Ghana
GCA
Climate & Agriculture Adaptation
Kwadwo Danso-Mensah and the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED)
Kwadwo Danso-Mensah and the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) aim to investigate the critical role of climate change adaptation inventions in mitigating climate change impacts on Africa's agricultural sector.

Kwadwo Danso-Mensah and the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) aim to investigate the critical role of climate change adaptation inventions in mitigating climate change impacts on Africa's agricultural sector.

They intend providing a comprehensive overview of existing studies and evidence on the theme to enable policy makers and researchers to make evidence-based decisions regarding climate change adaptation strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa. They will produce an Evidence and Gap Map (EGM) by systematically searching for and categorizing studies from diverse sources of published and unpublished studies across regions, thematic areas, and outcomes that related to climate change adaptation. Studies meeting the eligibility criteria defined by a predetermined Population, Interventions, Comparisons, Outcomes, and Study design (PICOS) framework will be included in the EGM.  Findings of this EGM will be crucial for resource optimisation and strategic planning for policy makers and practitioners in the realm of agricultural relevant climate adaptation in Africa

 

Read more
Laurent Dembele
2022
Mali
GCA
Drug Discovery 2
Identification of Compounds Targeting Specifically Plasmodium malariae Malaria for its Elimination Along with Plasmodium falciparum
Lucas Malla
2022
Kenya
GCA
MNCH Data
Novel Approaches for Modelling Gestational Weight Gain Trajectories Using the Super Imposition Translation and Rotation Growth Model for Predicting Neonatal Outcomes
Lyn Marie
2022
South Africa
GCA
Drug Discovery 2
Development of Targeted Transmission-Blocking Agents Against Malaria
Margaret Ilomuanya
2024
Nigeria
GCA
Non-Hormonal Drug Discovery
The cervical mucus barrier as a target for artificial neural network inspired novel blends of electrospun scaffolds.

The cervical mucus barrier as a target for artificial neural network inspired novel blends of electrospun scaffolds.

The cervical mucus barrier as a target for artificial neural network inspired novel blends of electrospun scaffolds.

Margaret Ilomuanya of the University of Lagos in Nigeria will develop a non-hormonal approach to contraception in women focussing on the interaction of mucoadhesive electrospun scaffold with cervical mucus. Studies have shown that unintended pregnancies occur due to perceived dissatisfaction, or unpalatable side effect profiles, arising frommodern hormonal contraceptive use. This has necessitated a need for more effective optionsin non-hormonal contraception to be made available to women. They will develop a novel blend of biodegradable electrospun scaffolds whose properties will be optimized using artificial neural networks aided surface response aided design to facilitate non-hormonal contraception via interaction with cervical mucus. They will evaluate the surface characteristics, mucoadhesive nature and safety of the developed scaffolds to demonstrate the potential of the developed electrospun scaffolds as a delivery platform for contraception.

Read more
Mawuli Dzodzomenyo
2024
Ghana
GCA
Climate & Health
AI and HCD-Informed Early Warning System Design for Tracking the Community Effects of Climate Change on Maternal and Newborn Health
Mawuli Dzodzomenyo is an Associate Professor in Environmental Health and Clinical Microbiology and currently heads the Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon.

Climate change is already happening in Ghana and pregnant women and their newborns are a particularly vulnerable population to its effects. Data on climate indicators and maternal health outcomes exist in Ghana but need to be brought together and put in the hands of healthcare workers and community members, who could use it to prepare for climate change in real time. In this pilot project, we are working to bring together data collected by GMet and DHIMS2. Using artificial intelligence and a human-centred design approach to create a climate and health early warning tracking system that will be useful and user-friendly to health care workers providing maternal care in communities in Ghana.

Read more
Mihaja Raberahona
2024
Madagascar
GCA
AI in Health
AI-Powered Screening Tool for the Triage of Patients with Suspicion of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Mihaja Raberahona of Equipe de Recherche Clinique en Maladies Infectieuses in Madagascar will develop an AI-based triage tool to identify patients likely to have pulmonary TB based on combining physiological data from wearable devices, cough acoustics, and anthropometric data.

Mihaja Raberahona of Equipe de Recherche Clinique en Maladies Infectieuses in Madagascar will develop an AI-based triage tool to identify patients likely to have pulmonary TB based on combining physiological data from wearable devices, cough acoustics, and anthropometric data.

Read more

Read more
Mutiat Ibrahim
2024
Nigeria
GCA
Non-Hormonal Drug Discovery
Characterization of herbal bioactive for the development of spermicides for female contraception

Characterization of herbal bioactive for the development of spermicides for female contraception

Characterization of herbal bioactive for the development of spermicides for female contraception

The use of fertility-regulating plants as method of contraception continue to play a significant role in the prevention of unwanted pregnancies despite the popularity of modern contraceptives. Mutiat Bolanle Ibrahim of the University of Lagos, Nigeria and her team will identify and characterize the non-hormonal contraceptive activity of selected fertility-regulating plant extracts for the development into vaginal herbal contraceptive products with no irritations to the vagina and cervical mucosa. The team will screen crude plant extracts for sperm immobilization and sperm migration inhibition activity. They will carry out sperm function tests on plant extracts and evaluate the vaginal contraceptive activity of the extracts in female rabbits. The team willinvestigate the safety of contraceptive plant extract on cervical and vaginal mucosa epithelia via in vitro and in vivo models. They will identify the chemical constituents of the vaginal contraceptive plant extract that elicits the non-hormonal contraceptive effect.

Read more
Naeemah Abrahams
2022
South Africa
GCA
MNCH Data
Building the Evidence Between Gender-Based Violence and Maternal and Perinatal Health: A South African Bio-Behavioural Longitudinal Study
Obed Brew
2024
Ghana
GCA
AI in Health
AI-Integrated Maternal Preeclampsia Detection and Care Transformation (AIMPact)

Obed Brew of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana will explore applying a combination of AI-based analytical approaches to clinical data for early detection of preeclampsia in pregnancy to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Obed Brew of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana will explore applying a combination of AI-based analytical approaches to clinical data for early detection of preeclampsia in pregnancy to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Read more

Read more
Ousmane Sy
2024
Senegal
GCA
Climate & Health
Assessing Recent and Future Climate Change Impacts on Anopheles Gambiae S.L. Bionomics and Malaria Risk in Senegal
Dr Ousmane Sy is a medical entomologist at the Laboratory of Vector and Parasite Ecology (LEVP) of the Faculty of Science and Technology of UCAD (Senegal). His research interests include the ecology and dynamics of malaria vectors, the genetics of their populations, their resistance to insecticides, and the use of entomological data for modelling studies.

The aim of Dr Sy’s project is to develop and improve mathematical and artificial intelligence (AI) models to estimate the impact of current and future climate change on the abundance, seasonal activity, vector capacity and population dynamics of Anopheles gambiae s.l.. These mosquitoes are mainly responsible for residual malaria transmission in northern and central Senegal. Climate change is thought to contribute to the persistence of residual malaria transmission in Senegal by supporting vector populations. To assess the risks associated with transmission, morbidity and mortality, it is necessary to combine biological models and climate scenarios using new technological approaches such as artificial intelligence and mathematical modelling.

By analysing data over two decades (2000 to 2023), it will be possible to adapt strategies and make predictions. The risks of a malaria epidemic can be identified at an early stage. This will ensure that the gains of the NMCP are not lost. It will also allow us to continue on the path towards the elimination of this disease, which is still possible in Senegal.

Read more
Ozlem Tastan Bishop
2022
South Africa
GCA
Drug Discovery 1
SNPs, Allosteric Modulations, Dynamic Residue Networks: Combined Approaches Towards Modern Computational Drug Discovery
Paul Macharia
2024
Kenya
GCA
AI in Health
A User-Centred Approach to Empowering Healthcare Providers with Up-to-Date Adolescent HIV Information by Leveraging Large Language Models

Paul Macharia of the University of Nairobi in Kenya will develop an LLM-based platform to give healthcare providers real-time access to comprehensive, up-to-date, adolescent HIV information for enhanced decision-making and better patient health outcomes.

Paul Macharia of the University of Nairobi in Kenya will develop an LLM-based platform to give healthcare providers real-time access to comprehensive, up-to-date, adolescent HIV information for enhanced decision-making and better patient health outcomes.

Read more

Read more
Peter Kojo Quashie - GIISER Ghana
2024
Ghana
GCA
GIISER
Impact of Endemic Comorbidity on West African HIV Response
Dr. Peter Kojo Quashie is a Senior Research Fellow and Group PI in Molecular Virology at West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) and Ghana GIISER PI. His research focuses on HIV, SARS-CoV-2, and other pandemic RNA viruses, with a focus on host-viral interactions and antiviral therapeutics.

Dr. Peter Kojo Quashie is the Deputy Director (Research) at WACCBIP, managing research operations, partnerships, student training, workshops, and staff. He led most of WACCBIP’s well-publicized research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quashie’s group is currently studying the impact of endemic comorbidity on West African HIV response. It leads the WACCBIP long-term HIV Infection CoHort Study -- recruiting, sampling, and characterizing HIV infection in 1000 newly diagnosed Ghanaians. Its research has focused on the West African immune system's response to SARS-Cov-2 infection and vaccination, and the role of endemic malaria.

Read more
Polly Okello
2024
Kenya
GCA
AI in Health
Use of Large Language Models (LLMs) to Transform Clinical Diagnosis in Kenya

Polly Okello of Medbook Kenya Limited in Kenya will develop a set of LLMs to support frontline healthcare workers in rural areas and among marginalized populations in Kenya.

Polly Okello of Medbook Kenya Limited in Kenya will develop a set of LLMs to support frontline healthcare workers in rural areas and among marginalized populations in Kenya.

Read more

Read more
Pontiano Kaleebu - GIISER Uganda
2024
Uganda
GCA
GIISER
Characterization of Circulating SARS Cov-2 Variants to Inform Timely Public Health Responses
Prof Pontiano Kaleebu is the Director of the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), the largest government research institution dealing with diseases of viral aetiology in public health.His research interests include the study of the HIV virus and its resistance to drugs, immune response to HIV and other viruses, and vaccine development in Africa. He also studies emerging and re-emerging infections, including Ebola, Rift Valley Fever, Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, and COVID-19.

Global Immunology and Immune Sequencing for Epidemic Response (GIISER) is envisioned as a collection of geographically distinct sites that can pair their local pathogen sequencing surveillance and clinical epidemiology with local immunological understanding and tools. Prof Kaleebu studies the characterization of circulating SARS CoV-2 variants to inform timely public health responses; these include the molecular, antigenic, and immune profiling and response to vaccines. His work has been applied to other emerging infections, such as Ebola virus infection and Rift Valley Fever. The project has contributed to scientific studies of B-cell receptor analyses and monoclonal antibody generation at UVRI and has been used in training and collaborations.

Read more
Prince Adjei
2024
Kenya
GCA
AI in Health
Responsible AI-powered Decision Support for the Management of Diabetes in Pregnant Women in Ghana (RAID-MaP-Gh)

Prince Adjei of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana will develop an AI-based tool to support clinicians and patients in managing complications and comorbidities in pregnancies, focusing on pre-gestational and gestational diabetes.

Prince Adjei of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana will develop an AI-based tool to support clinicians and patients in managing complications and comorbidities in pregnancies, focusing on pre-gestational and gestational diabetes.

Read more

Read more
Richard Amewu
2022
Ghana
GCA
Drug Discovery 1
Medicinal Chemistry Progression of Hits Identified from the MMV Pathogen Box for Malaria and Tuberculosis
Rose Nakasi
2024
Kenya
GCA
AI in Health
MultiModal Machine Learning for Cancer Pathogen Detection and automated Pathology Report Generation

Rose Nakasi of Makerere University in Uganda will develop an AI-based platform to support diagnosis and management of cervical cancer in Uganda.

Read more

 

Rose Nakasi of Makerere University in Uganda will develop an AI-based platform to support diagnosis and management of cervical cancer in Uganda.

Read more

 

Read more
Sikolia Wanyonyi
2022
Kenya
GCA
MNCH Data
Kenya Health Information Systems and Confidential Enquiry Datasets to Analyse Facility-Based Maternal Mortality and Develop Models to Improve Quality Childbirth Care
Steven Wanyee
2024
Kenya
GCA
AI in Health
AI-Enabled Modeling of Cervical Cancer Registry Data for Enhanced Surveillance and Prevention Impact

Steven Wanyee of IntelliSOFT Consulting Limited in Kenya will develop an AI-based framework for analysis of cervical cancer registry data to identify epidemiological trends and improve surveillance and prevention efforts.

Steven Wanyee of IntelliSOFT Consulting Limited in Kenya will develop an AI-based framework for analysis of cervical cancer registry data to identify epidemiological trends and improve surveillance and prevention efforts.

Read more

Read more
Thierry Ngoga
2024
Rwanda
GCA
Climate & Agriculture Adaptation
Enhancing Local Level Climate Adaptation Systems in Musanze District, Rwanda

Enhancing Local Level Climate Adaptation Systems in Musanze District, Rwanda

Enhancing Local Level Climate Adaptation Systems in Musanze District, Rwanda

GanzAfrica takes a systems level intervention to strengthen local adaptation capacities through a bottom-up, locally driven, multi-sectoral and youth centered approach. Climate adaptation initiatives in many countries are largely top-down, where decisions are made at central level due to limited local capacity of local actors. We deploy young adaptation champions in local departments of agriculture, land, and environment, to facilitate and coordinate adaptation initiatives. They will consult stakeholders and gather local perspectives, create inventories of data and evidence including documenting local knowledge and practices, setting up a demo plot to showcase adaptation practices, develop stakeholder collaboration and coordination frameworks, train local champions, set up community climate information, and community peer-learning systems. In the process, we create a platform for communities, sectors, and partners to collaborate, co-learn, co-create, test and co-implement evidence informed, context specific adaptation measures. Lessons drawn are harnessed to scale adaptation approaches and inform national policy.

Read more
Zakari Ali
2024
Gambia
GCA
Climate & Agriculture Adaptation
Diversifying Gambian diets for health and Environmental Sustainability (DiGES)

Diversifying Gambian diets for health and Environmental Sustainability (DiGES)

Diversifying Gambian diets for health and Environmental Sustainability (DiGES)

 Zakari Ali of the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at LSHTM in The Gambia will identify and promote the consumption and production of underutilized crops that are more resilient to climate change, reduce environmental impacts, and have positive health attributes. Studies have investigated different ways to produce enough food under climate change – with diverse evidence of success. This project will examine how populations can demand and consume foods that are more climate resilient. The project uses population diet as the entry point to agricultural adaption to climate change by identifying the barriers and opportunities for populations to demand and consume locally available and climate resilient foods. They will model different food system scenarios under climate change – engage food system stakeholders, policymakers and local farmers, and use social behaviour change communication (SBCC) strategies to promote the demand, consumption, and production of climate resilient crops.

Read more