Experts Urge Overhaul of Africa&#39;s R&amp;D Ecosystem

By Sharon Atieno

Experts emphasized at the Evidence for Development (Evi4Dev) conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, that closing current gaps is essential for Africa to achieve its complete potential in research and development (R&D).

During a panel discussion named "Strengthening African Research & Development: Realistic routes to resilience and influence—insights from up-and-coming leaders"—they shared their thoughts.

Dr. Yaw Bediako, CEO and co-founder of Yemaachi Biotech in Ghana, emphasized the importance of private sector participation to transform scientific discoveries into practical goods. He stated, "To make a difference in people's lives, our science needs to be converted... Ultimately, if that malaria research doesn’t result in a vaccine or medication, individuals will continue to succumb to malaria."

Bediako pointed out that the scientific environment in Africa predominantly favors academia, government, and philanthropy sectors, leaving minimal participation from the private sector—even though this sector has the potential to turn concepts into practical innovations and tangible goods.

“He reaffirmed that governments and universities do not produce goods; product development falls within the domain of business entities.” He emphasized this point, urging for increased collaboration with private enterprises.

Professor Isabela Oyier, who leads the Biomedical Sciences Department at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, highlighted that the research and development sector relies heavily on grants, which makes it an unstable environment for scientists. She explained, "To sustain your team, you must secure funding through grants. Without them, you risk losing momentum."

Moreover, Professor Oyier pointed out that acquiring necessary research materials faces significant obstacles. High expenses and difficulties deter nearby producers from considering ventures into R&D goods. These impediments impact not only the final output—such as diagnostic tools, apparatuses—but also the supplies utilized throughout the course of studies or trials.

Certain specialists have advocated for the necessity of restructuring the educational program. Professor Collen Masimirembwa, who serves as both the President and CEO of the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, pointed out that there is an absence of adequate facilities within higher learning institutions needed to train professionals in specialized areas such as biomedical science. Substantial funding would be required to upgrade this training infrastructure and prepare these scientists adequately for their careers.

Professor Nicki Tiffin, the Deputy Director of the South African National Bioinformatics Institute, emphasized the importance of training and building capabilities in health informatics. She highlighted the necessity of managing regular healthcare data, such as patient records, lab test outcomes, and information related to medication distribution.

Moreover, the caliber of healthcare information must be standardized. "It's becoming clear that we need to adjust certain data standards to fit our specific circumstances here in Africa," she explained. "Rather than strictly adhering to protocols established elsewhere around the world, particularly those originating in the Global North, we're employing critical thinking and tailoring these guidelines to better serve our needs." She added that patient medical records could further contribute to research efforts, thereby strengthening the overall evidentiary foundation.

Organized by AUDA-NEPAD, the SFA Foundation, and AFIDEP, this three-day gathering held from May 6th to 8th, 2025, brought together more than 300 participants hailing from approximately 30 different African nations.

The conference highlighted the essential part played by science, technological advancements, innovative approaches, and policy decisions based on evidence in attaining developmental objectives such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the worldwide Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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