Data science without borders: bridging the divide in data science capacity across African health institutions
Our integrated assessment suggests that effective capacity building requires moving beyond standardized approaches to embrace a phased model that leverages institutional needs and complementarities. We recommend: (1) establishing robust data governance frameworks as a foundation; (2) implementing a phased and customized approach where institutions receive training according to their immediate demands and strengths; (3) addressing critical infrastructure gaps to support data. We are involved in science projects in Africa that support federated analyses to maintain data sovereignty. This approach offers potential for a varying African approach to health data science, which could extend to AI adoption and broader continental collaboration.
Authors
- Samuel Iddi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2366-2774)
- Aminata Mboup (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5750-0039)
- Nebiyu Dereje (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5406-4171)
- Raphael Sonabend (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9225-4654)
- Elvis Temfack (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8189-6555)
- Jay Greenfield (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2773-5317)
- Damazo T. Kadengye (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7586-4928)
- Malvika Sharan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6619-7369)
- Moussa Sarr (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2372-6632)
- Tathagata Bhattacharjee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9437-0894)
- Agnes Kiragga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0969-0699)
- Alemseged Abdissa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3798-5037)
- Joyce Nakatumba‐Nabende (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0108-3798)
- Jim Todd (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5918-4914)
- Rachael Odhiambo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7525-0659)
- Akililu Alemu Ashuro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2282-361X)
- Moses Bamutura
- Simon Hudson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0274-1393)
- Steve Cygu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9284-8863)
- Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou
- Abel W. Walekhwa
- Bethlehem Adnew
- Bekure Tamurat
- Miranda Barasa
- Anicet Onana
- Moctar Gningue
Institutions
- University of Ghana (GH)
- University of Douala (CM)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
- Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ET)
- DATA4 (France) (FR)
- African Population and Health Research Center (KE)
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute (ET)
- Makerere University (UG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Public Health
- Published
- 2025-12-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1695907
- Primary Topic
- Global Health and Surgery
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- African Population and Health Research Center