The role of African scientists in pandemic preparedness

The Global Health Security (GHS) index, conducted post-COVID-19, revealed sobering facts about countries’ unpreparedness to meet future epidemic and pandemic threats. The majority of African countries scored below the global average in core health security pillars including the ability to prevent, detect and respond to biological threats, presenting a massive opportunity for discourse. This article conveys the message that Africa must take the lead in its own pandemic preparedness agenda, leveraging the significant, yet often hindered and overlooked capabilities of its own scientists, so that the continent is not just prepared, but also actively leading the response to future health crisis. It explores the critical current and future role of African scientists in confronting these challenges and leading the shift in Africa’s pandemic response. It also delves into how African researchers are generating context specific data to strengthen health systems, pioneering R&D and local manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports, designing data driven preparedness plans, enhancing clinical trial capabilities and building public trust through community engagement.