Jeanne Umuhire, Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), welcomed delegates to the Forum on behalf of RBC Director General Professor Claude Mambo Muvunyi. “Over the next five days, we will share groundbreaking research, forge innovative collaborations, and change course toward equitable health solutions, rooted in science, solidarity and sustainability.” She suggested that these principles had led to great progress in health in Rwanda in recent decades: “Our nation has demonstrated how evidence-based policies, community engagement, and robust infrastructure can drive remarkable progress.”
With the region facing critical health threats, strengthened partnerships would be essential, she concluded: “Let this platform not only be for scientific exchange, but also for friendship and shared purpose. As we open this Forum, let us remember that the solution we seek lie in our unity. Together, we can bridge gaps in access, empower the next generation of African scientists, and turn research into tangible impact for communities worldwide.”
From Europe, Dr Henning Gädeke, Chair of the EDCTP Association Board and Chair of the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking Governing Board, noted that much had changed since the last EDCTP Forum, in Paris, France in 2023: “Since then, EDCTP has evolved rapidly. The Secretariat in Brussels is now fully operational and we continue to see great results from the research funded under EDCTP2 and global Health EDCTP3, results that are making a difference to people’s lives.”
He noted that the European Commission would soon be presenting its proposal for the 10th EU Research Framework Programme – providing an opportunity for EDCTP: “In the coming week, we can show why research for global health must play an important role in the next EU Research Framework Programme, and why EDCTP should remain the central instrument for promoting research for global health. We have a unique opportunity to show where long-term commitment, strong political will, and joint action by Africa and Europe can lead us.”
Working together
Dr Constance Assohou-Luty, Team Lead for Research at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, welcomed delegates on behalf of Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director of the WHO African Regional Office. She noted that WHO and EDCTP shared many similar goals and had worked in partnership for many years having signed a highly successful memorandum of understanding.
She highlighted key areas such as joint work to build national regulatory and ethical review capacity, as well as on scientific leadership and national health research systems. Collective action had helped to establish the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum (AVAREF) as a key player in the development of regulatory capacity and harmonised approaches across countries. She looked forward to maintaining this collaboration: “WHO is greatly looking forward to signing a new landmark memorandum of understanding with EDCTP.”
Dr Mosoka Papa Fallah, Acting Director of Science, Research and Innovation at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), speaking on behalf of Dr Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director General, also highlighted the success of its partnership with EDCTP. He suggested that the 10-year roadmap for development of clinical trial capacity, developed with EDCTP input in Cape Town, had been particularly influential and helped to secure the support of other partners.
EDCTP and Africa CDC had also jointly developed the highly successful epidemiology and biostatistics fellowship scheme. A new memorandum of understanding had been signed by the two partners in February 2025. He concluded: “This relationship has really shown that there is power in partnership, and that partnership has the potential to grow.”
The European perspective
Dr Eva Ortega-Paíno, Secretary General for Research, Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Spain, noted that Spain was proud to be part of EDCTP. Its contribution to the programme has been increasing, a sign of its political commitment and growing scientific capabilities. In 2023 alone its researchers were involved in 17 EDCTP3 projects.
Spain, through the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), its main medical research funding body, recognises the importance of evidence-based approaches to address poverty-related diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and improve health: “Health is, and must remain, a cornerstone of global wellbeing.”
Dr Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Switzerland, stressed the importance of international collaboration: “The EDCTP Forum reminds us that science knows no borders and that progress in health research is not only global in impact but also global in responsibility.” She emphasised that Switzerland is fully behind the goals of EDCTP3: “Switzerland is proud to be part of this community that champions collaboration, equity and excellence in science.”
Researchers in Switzerland, she suggested, valued their collaborations with colleagues and institutions in Africa. Ultimately, progress will depend on such collaborations: “The challenges we face are shared and the solutions must be too.”
Martin Seychell, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG-INTPA), European Commission, highlighted the profound changes affecting global health, but reconfirmed the EU’s commitment: “I am here today to convey to you the clear message from the European Commission and the European Union. You can continue to look at us as a reliable and trustworthy partner and our commitment for health has not changed.”
He highlighted the importance of the EU Global Gateway for connecting the EU and its global partners on transformative projects with regional and continental impact. “The implementation of this strategy can only be based on a strong partnership with our continental, regional and country partners in Africa,” he added. He further emphasised the importance of the coordinated ‘Team Europe’ approach and of working with African partner organisations, including WHO and the Africa CDC. He welcomed the launch of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) and pledged continuing European support for its work, and highlighted the launch of the human development accelerator (HDX), a €1bn partnership with the European Investment Bank and the Gates Foundation to support manufacturing of health products on the continent to enhance access to medical innovations.
Guest of honour
Honourable Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, suggested that effective partnerships would enable Africa to “go far and go fast”. He stressed the need to train the next generation of researchers, “not just for the continent but for the whole world”, as infectious diseases were a global challenge.
He looked forward to seeing the AMA, headquartered in Rwanda, have a major impact in Africa. Rwanda was also committed to developing its clinical trial capacity and strengthening its use of health data. It hoped to make its contribution to a sea change in Africa’s contributions to global knowledge through clinical trials.
The past and future of EDCTP
Dr Michael Makanga, Executive Director of Global Health EDCTP3, provided an overview of the history and objectives of the programme. The Joint Undertaking is a partnership between the European Commission (represented by the European Commission) and the EDCTP Association, the body that represents 15 European and 30 sub-Saharan African countries. The EDCTP initiative has grown in scope and size since its launch in 2003, and it is due to provide almost €2bn in funding by 2030.
He highlighted the key features of the Global Health EDCTP3 programme, including its focus on all stages of clinical development, including late-stage trials and implementation, and its focus on vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, children, adolescents and people with co-infections and comorbidities.
It remained absolutely committed to working in partnership with others, including other funders and regional partners. He stressed EDCTP’s long-standing commitment to equitable partnerships, ensuring that African researchers have leadership roles and women are well-represented as applicants and authors.
He highlighted just some of the many examples where EDCTP-funded projects have had a major impact on policy and practice. EDCTP has also embedded capacity-building throughout its grants, and has maintained the flexibility to launch emergency funding schemes for Ebola, COVID-19 and mpox.
He concluded by summarising an analysis of the huge impact of European health funding on health outcomes and economic development in Africa. The tour de force was met with a standing ovation – a sign of the excitement felt for the next three days.