Building research capacity in Africa: progress, but no instant solutions
The fragility of research capacity in much of Africa, the result of chronic under-investment, is well documented. Improving but still patchy access to the internet across the continent exacerbates the situation, constraining the ability of researchers to network and communicate or to access knowledge. The brain drain continues to haemorrhage talent.
A recent brief report from Thomson Reuters emphasises the importance of an active African research culture to support health, progress towards the MDGs and underpin economic development. In one stark statistic it also illustrates the problem: the published research output for the whole continent (led by Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa) is comparable to that of the Netherlands.
Two recent developments demonstrate how building research capacity is being tackled in an integrated way that seeks local ownership and sustainability, and focuses clearly on translation of research into policy and practice.
The Malaria Capacity Development Consortium seeks to increase malaria research capacity in Africa. Supported by the Wellcome Trust and the Gates Foundation, it funds and helps African scientists so that qualified and trained staff are available to carry out vital applied research into malaria control.
The Initiative to Strengthen Health Research Capacity in Africa (ISHReCA) is a new venture funded largely by Wellcome but led by African nationals. It takes a comprehensive, holistic approach to capacity building and seeks to create self‐sustaining centres of excellence where high-quality health research can be performed. ISHReCA has a strong focus on translating research products into policy and practice, and also on advocacy to raise research capacity.
We are already working with several such partners in Africa to provide the tools and technologies to support information exchange, collaboration and nurturing of home-grown scientific talent. Contact us to find out more.
