Though a lot has been written about Africa’s weak health systems, its growing scientific competence in virology, genomics and cross-sectoral collaborations to conduct research etc. have largely gone unnoticed. But, since Ebola outbreak, Africa – both at continent level as well as at individual country level – is steadily bracing up to perform research in emerging infections.
The foundation was laid with the setting up of the Africa Centres for Disease Control (ACDC) by the African Union in 2016, post Ebola epidemics. The role of ACDC as a technical institution includes supporting public health initiatives of member states, strengthening the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions as well as forging partnerships. The objective is to enable African countries to facilitate detection andformulate prompt and effective response to disease threats and outbreaks, based on data-driven interventions and programmes.
In the context of COVID 19 also African scientists and institutions are not behind. Immediately after the first confirmed case of COVID-19, was reported in Nigeria local scientists sent the first genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 from Africa which was immediately made available for use by the global scientific community. A specimen from Nigeria’s first case of COVID-19 was sent to two of Nigeria’s top research institutes namely African Centre of Excellence for the Genomics of Infectious Disease at Redeemer’s University, and also to the Centre for Human Virology and Genomics at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research for sequencing and molecular characterisation. Within three days after the sample receipt, data analysis and sequence generation was completed on joint efforts by several local institutions with limited support from partners outside.The breakthrough proved Nigeria’s high level of technical competence, processing speed, scientific rigour and openness. In another instance, South African researchers recently reported the genome sequencing of a local sample of SARS-COV-2. Several countries in Africa such as Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa have also set up national biosafety level 3 laboratories for studying viruses and other highly infectious pathogens. Gabon and South Africa own biosafety level 4 laboratories.
These developments mark a distinct departure from the past when in the initial phase of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, almost all genome sequences were performed outside Africa. African scientists supported only as secondary participants.
Currently, the Africa Centres for Disease Control is monitoring regional efforts in the research and management of the COVID-19 on the continent while the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum in the Regional Office of the World Health Organisation support countries to audit proposals for clinical trials for vaccines and drugs. Foreign funding is also finding its way to Africa for research activities for COVID19.Recently, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership called for proposals to support research activities in sub-Saharan Africa to manage and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The project will be funded by the European Union and South Africa’s Department of Science & Innovation. Hopefully such developments will motivate more African countries to take up Research seriously.
