A group of African science leaders has called for stronger, Africa-led support for medical innovation to improve health and reduce reliance on uncertain international funding. In a commentary in Nature Health, the inaugural cohort of the Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship argues that decades of underinvestment have eroded the continent's ability to develop clinical solutions for its large disease burden.
The fellows say an "overreliance" on now-dwindling international funding has often allowed non-African actors to set R&D priorities. They recommend increased national investment to back private-sector led pharmaceutical research and development, combined with clear accountability to ensure promises are met. The report highlights that gross domestic expenditure on R&D averaged 0.33 per cent in 2023, despite commitments to invest at least 1 per cent of GDP. Yaw Bediako of Yemaachi Biotech and Ashesi University said research investment "can transform youth potential, biodiversity, and scientific ingenuity into innovation".
Established in 2021 with funding from the Gates Foundation, the fellowship supports African researchers to strengthen research and innovation systems. Recent US aid cuts and other global disruptions make new Africa-led strategies urgent. The authors recommend reforms to move from knowledge generation to usable health products, focusing on practical changes:
- Reduce procurement bottlenecks and ease rules that delay lab work and local manufacturing.
- Pooled procurement and a virtual observatory to improve vendor visibility.
- Low-cost policy changes, better working conditions and merit-based promotion to help scientists secure funding.
Iruka Okeke noted that "currently we pay more and receive less vendor support" and said some import changes could have little financial consequence because specialist materials often carry little duty and many institutions are duty exempt. Tom Kariuki of the Science for Africa Foundation described the call as "an invitation to act together, using approaches that are already within reach". The piece was produced by SciDev.Net's Sub-Saharan Africa English desk and was originally published on SciDev.Net.
Difficult words
- underinvestment — not enough money spent over a long time
- overreliance — dependence on something too much"overreliance"
- procurement — process of buying goods or servicesPooled procurement
- expenditure — amount of money spent by an organization
- accountability — responsibility to explain and justify actions
- innovation — new ideas or products that solve problemsinnovation systems
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could increased national investment change medical research and health outcomes in African countries? Give two possible effects.
- Which of the practical changes listed (procurement, pooled procurement, policy changes) seems most feasible locally, and why?
- What challenges might governments face when trying to provide clear accountability for research funding?
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