The Africa CDC is taking steps to prioritise health research and innovation within African Union member states. This is to ensure targeted evidence generation for impactful public health practice across Africa. This is part of the wider implementation of The Africa Health Strategy (2016-2030) which was adopted in line with the AU Agenda 2063 and SDGs and recognises the importance of investment in research and innovation.

As part of this implementation, Africa CDC are engaging stakeholders to develop an African Continental Health Research Agenda Framework to guide priority setting. To support this initiative, a health research prioritisation survey was launched on and disseminated in collaboration with The Global Health Network. The survey aims to determine the current landscape of research interest in Africa.  

Survey data will be used by Africa CDC and collaborating partners to define research prioritisation criteria important for the development of an inclusive and comprehensive research agenda framework to support member states in prioritising key areas for research and development focusing on the needs of the people for whom public health interventions are designed.

Africa CDC aims to develop the continental framework using an inclusive multi-stakeholder consultative approach and the health research prioritisation survey follows a consultative workshop that took place on 3 – 5 April 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa to discuss this initiative in detail. At the first workshop, in what will become a series of face-to-face consultations with stakeholders, delegates from 18 African countries considered the continental research landscape, including the role of the community and ethical considerations, and worked on identifying key criteria to consider in prioritisation. 

The Global Health Network will continue to collaborate with Africa CDC, regional and country partners on the next steps of implementing the African Continental Health Research Agenda Framework at regional and country levels. 

For more information, please contact TemfackE@africa-union.org, copying AfricaCDCPHIR@africa-union.org.