The African Voices of Science (AVoS) has launched its second cohort of Champions with a call for African governments to prioritize health research and reduce the continent’s dependence on external funding.
The launch, held virtually under the theme “Beyond Aid: Building Africa’s Health Research, Development and Innovation Economy,” was spearheaded by SpeakUpAfrica, africa.com, and REMAPSEN. It brought together scientists, policy makers and journalists from across the continent, including Senegal, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa.
Panelists included Dr. Moussa Sarr, Principal Investigator and Head of Cooperation Group at IRESSEF (Senegal); Dr. Robert Karanja, Founder and Executive Director of Biolinx Africa (Kenya); Dr. Raymonde Goudou, Minister and Governor of the Autonomous District of Lacs (Côte d’Ivoire); and Dr. Russel Rensburg of Health and Innovation at South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation.
The keynote speakers were Dr. Safiatou Coulibaly, Coordinator – Genetics and Cancer Laboratory at the Pasteur Institute of Cote D’Ivoire and Babacar Gueye, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Senegal.
Funding Concerns
A major concern raised at the launch was Africa’s over-reliance on external funding, with ‘71 percent of health research on the continent financed by foreign donors” according to Senegal’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Health, Senegal, Dr. Babacar Gueye.
Dr. Russel Rensburg of South Africa stressed the urgency of mobilizing local resources to sustain Africa’s health research. He said “we cannot continue to depend on donor funding. Mobilising domestic resources even through health taxes is crucial. Beyond that, we must create opportunities for young people to leverage technology in addressing the financing gaps,” he said.
Call for Government Commitment
Speakers urged African governments to commit more resources to research and development.
Minister and Governor of Autonomous District of Lacs, Cote d’Ivoire Dr. Raymonde Goudou argued that even a modest allocation could make a significant difference.
“If countries were to dedicate just one percent of their national budgets to research, the impact would be enormous in the years ahead. Unfortunately, education and research are still not seen as priorities of development,” she noted.
She also identified that political instability and the brain drain remain barriers to strengthening Africa’s research capacity.
Policy and Local Solutions
Founder and Executive Director , Biolinx Africa, Kenya, Dr. Robert Karanja called on policymakers to back local innovations to address the continent’s health challenges.
“Our researchers are working hard to develop local medicines, yet poor regulation of imported products and weak policy commitment undermine their work. Governments must show stronger leadership in supporting these efforts,” he said.
Innovation and Social Change
On innovative financing, Dr. Russel Rensburg proposed tapping into the creativity of Africa’s youth. “Social media and digital platforms present opportunities for young people to generate ideas that can bring economic and health benefits,” he said.
Coordinator in charge of Genetics and Cancer Laboratory at the Pasteur Institute of Cote d’Ivoire, Dr. Safiatu Coulibaly, reminded participants that research is not just about academic knowledge. “Research is also a quest for social change. It must transform lives and strengthen our societies,” she said.
Other speakers, including the Community Engagement Manager at the Aurum Institute and SAHTAC Lead, John Mdluli, stressed the need for capacity building, harmonisation of research practices, and stronger private sector involvement.
On that score, Dr. Goudou also reiterated the importance of investing in infrastructure such as laboratories and universities.
Looking Ahead
The second cohort of African Voices of Science Champions is expected to serve as advocates for research in Africa, ensuring the continent’s scientists are well represented in global health policy and decision-making while attracting investments to strengthen Africa’s knowledge-based economy.