ACT-PREP: Building Africa’s Research Capacity to Stay Ahead of Epidemics We recently launched the ACT-PREP project. What lies ahead? Prof. Moses Kamya, Executive Director of IDRC_Uganda and a consortium member, shares his vision for strengthening research capacity and fostering collaboration to ensure Africa is better prepared to detect, prevent and respond to epidemics before they strike. @ACTPREPCON_ @Makerere

#ACTPREPLaunch: As we launch the Advancing Clinical Trials and Epidemic Preparedness Research Capacity in Africa (ACT-PREP) today, we appreciate the consortium member countries including Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sweden, Germany, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ACT-PREP project aims to strengthen capacity to conduct clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on research during outbreaks.

Happening now #ACTPREPLaunch: Prof. @RhodaWanyenze calls for African countries to invest domestic resources in research for disease preparedness and response. “We cannot continue to look for money from EDCTP or other partners alone," she said. She said, the COVID-19 response exposed a critical gap: much of the evidence guiding decisions was generated outside Africa, raising questions about its applicability to African populations and health systems. Prof. Wanyenze says Africa needs to move from building individual research capacity to strengthening institutions that can continuously generate, analyse and translate locally relevant evidence. “We need evidence in times of peace, when we are preparing for the next outbreak.” The ACT-PREP network seeks to contribute to this ambition by strengthening research and training capacity across African institutions.

#ACTPREPLaunch @Makerere Prof. Bruce Kilenga, Principal of @MakerereCHS cautioned that Traditional research funding cycles are poorly suited to epidemics. "By the time calls are issued, proposals reviewed and funds released, an outbreak may already be well underway." He called for pre-positioned funding that researchers can rapidly access during emergencies. He also cautioned cautioned about the slow process of protocol approvals. "Rather than multiple institutions developing separate protocols to answer similar questions, the panel called for a consortium approach that brings together complementary expertise in clinical studies, modelling, ecological and social research."

#ACTPREPLaunch at @Makerere One of the panelists, Dr. Susan Nabadda Ndidde, the Commissioner of @cphluganda emphasised that public health laboratories must be prepared for both outbreaks and research, with strong quality systems, standard procedures and sample-tracking mechanisms in place. She also called for interconnected regional laboratory networks to facilitate cross-border sample referral, data sharing and coordinated outbreak response while respecting national sovereignty. @ACTPREPCON_

#ACTPREPLaunch: Speaking on behalf of the funding agency, Michelle Nderu, Project Officer, European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (@EDCTP3 ) Africa Office, said recent outbreaks have shown that effective responses depend on the systems, partnerships and capacities already in place before a crisis emerges. @ACTPREPCON_ seeks to strengthen surveillance, preparedness planning, evidence generation and stakeholder engagement to help Africa respond faster and more effectively to future health emergencies. The EDCTP representative urged ACT-PREP partners to learn from one another, share knowledge openly and build collaborations that extend beyond the project’s lifetime. The goal is not only stronger epidemic preparedness, but more connected and resilient health research and public health systems across Africa.

#ACTPREPLaunch: @ProfNawangwe has urged ACT-PREP partners to think about sustainability from the outset: “What will remain when the five years of funding come to an end?” He says the lasting legacy should be stronger researchers, institutions, laboratories and partnerships serving Africa for years to come. @Makerere @ACTPREPCON_ @MinofHealthUG