Why does Africa, home to 25% of the global disease burden, host only about 4% of the world’s clinical trials? What would it take to shift from fragmented efforts to a truly coordinated, African-led clinical research ecosystem? Join us at the EDCTP Forum 2025 Kigali for an exciting session on “Strengthening Clinical Research Capacity and Enhancing Clinical Trial Coordination in Africa.”

Africa bears a significant burden of infectious and neglected diseases yet contributes minimally to global clinical trial activity. This disparity calls for urgent, African-led, and better-coordinated clinical research ecosystems aligned with regional health priorities.

This side meeting convenes researchers, funders, network leads, and policy actors to explore how strategic partnerships and integrated networks can transform Africa’s clinical trial landscape. Participants will engage in solution-oriented discussions on sustainability, data ownership, coordination mechanisms, and the power of locally driven innovation.

Why Attend:

• Engage with leaders shaping Africa’s clinical trials ecosystem.
• Learn and hear about some successful models for clinical research and trial networks working in Africa
• Learn about ongoing strategic collaborations that aim to strengthen Africa's clinical trial ecosystem to ensure equitable access to biomedical innovation driven by data insights.
• Discover strategies to foster harmonised, sustainable, and community-entered clinical research approaches.

Quotes from Keynote Speakers and Panellists

“Africa carries over 25% of the global disease burden but hosts only about 4% of clinical trials. Why is that acceptable? This session is a call to shift that paradigm to lead with local networks, fund our priorities, and own our data. Join us to shape a new future where African science drives African solutions.” Dr Evelyn Gitau, Chief Scientific Officer, Science for Africa Foundation.

“This session is about moving from talk to action, building an African clinical research environment that is coordinated, inclusive, and resilient, with communities at its heart.” Ms Shingai Machingaidze, Chair, and Head of Strategy and African Engagement (CEPI).

“We have brilliant scientists, willing communities, and urgent needs. So, what is missing? Alignment. If you care about making clinical research in Africa more responsive, more resilient, and more African, this is the session you need to attend and contribute to.” Dr John Amuasi, Executive Director, African Research Network for NTDs.

“The clinical trial ecosystem in Africa must be built to last beyond donor funding cycles, anchored in equitable partnerships, purposeful collaboration, and strong, locally driven leadership. Join us in this session and help build permanent pillars for Africa’s health research infrastructure.” Caxton Murira, Programme Manager, Clinical Research and Trials Community (CRTC), SFA Foundation.

“If 17% of the global population lives in Africa, why do we host less than 5% of global clinical trials? The time for African-led coordination is now. Let’s not just participate; let’s lead, set the standards, and reframe the global research narrative from the continent outward.” Lindsay Keir, Director, Science and Policy, Impact Global Health.

“No single institution can transform Africa’s clinical trials ecosystem, but together, through trusted partnerships and equitable investment, we can build sustainable, interoperable platforms that ensure we address the true priorities of African communities.” Alethea Cope, Major International Programmes, Clinical Trials Lead—Wellcome Trust

“Our challenge is not the absence of networks; it’s the fragmentation of investments and intentions. This session is a call to funders, implementers, and researchers to align, not duplicate. Clinical trials in Africa must shift from being exceptional to being expected—and that requires coordinated, sustainable systems built on trust, not transaction. Michelle Nderu, Project Officer, EDCTP 

“Africa must move from being a testing ground to becoming the architect of its own research destiny. If we don’t design the questions, we’ll never own the solutions.” Gaudensia Mutua, Medical Director, IAVI