Fore Word

Africa produces about 2% of the world research output, yet the region accounts for 15% of the global population and 25% of the global disease burden. The African region only accounts for 1.1% of global investments in R&D in 2016 and countries’ commitment to allocate 1% of their GDP to R&D remains unmet. R&D in Africa is mainly funded by the public sector, with significant proportions of financing in many countries coming from international funding.

Speak Up Africa’s main objective is to spark collaboration around the need for advocacy for increased investment and advancing policies to accelerate the R&D of new health technologies that address critical health challenges, such as HIV/AIDs, malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, and other neglected diseases.Working with our partners, we advocate for commitments on innovation, GH R&D funding and regulatory harmonization of the health research and development agenda in Francophone Africa by:

• Strengthening capacity of civil society organizations to advocate for domestic investment in GH R&D.
• Providing financing, platforms and communication opportunities for trusted African science leaders and young African innovators to share reliable information with African populations on research and development and health innovation.
• Advocating for improved regulations of medicine, medical products and technologies across the continent through the ratification and implementation of the African Medicine Agency Treaty.

Francophone West Africa Digital Health Network

« The time for Digital Health has arrived. We are called to use technology. A lot more. With digitalized health systems we can save time and speed up research as exemplified by the worldwide record breaking creation and procurement of COVID 19 vaccines. There are highly sophisticated digital systems that could contribute to the fight against malaria. As such, the creation of a formal and structured multisectoral regional network [ReSAF] whisking together the threads of a community of practitioners and experts building and learning from common experiences challenges and resources would definitely contribute a holistic coordinated effort across health sector for disease control and prevention. »

Mr Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Chief Digital Advisor,
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)

ReSAF Coordination Unit

ReSAF Strategic Documents

Medias and Press

Resources

Questions and Comments