Africa launches West Africa research programme to speed up outbreak response

A new regional initiative is seeking to strengthen West Africa’s preparedness for public health emergencies by connecting research institutions and enabling faster, more coordinated responses to disease outbreaks. The Africa Research Preparedness Programme for West Africa is designed to address gaps in research coordination that experts say could delay critical interventions during outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola, Mpox, Lassa fever and COVID-19. Despite the presence of skilled scientists and established research institutions across the continent, preparedness remains uneven, with some clinical trial sites facing challenges transitioning from routine research to emergency response. Head of Africa Strategy and Engagement at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Shingai Machingaidze, said the programme would adopt a hub-and-spoke model to connect existing research capabilities and support coordinated action during outbreaks.