Strengthening capacity for clinical research in sub-Saharan Africa: partnerships and networks

Global research collaboration, through partnerships and networks, is an effective way to deliver highly impactful and sustainable research that is collectively owned and promoted for the global good. Many models exist for effective North-South collaborations that are built on trust and balanced benefits. The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) model emphasises capacity development in clinical trials and product-focused implementation research. To ensure effectiveness and sustainability, capacity development requires a long-term perspective, an integrated system-wide approach, and local ownership and leadership from countries experiencing high disease burdens. Guided by these principles, the EDCTP2 programme, established in 2014, has developed and strengthened human capital and institutional capacities in 39 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to undertake high-quality clinical research guided by good clinical and regulatory practices. Projects in these countries have involved 238 African and 163 European institutions. To date, EDCTP has supported 171 Fellows and 232 postgraduate trainees. EDCTP-short-term training activities have equipped 9628 researchers and medical personnel. The EDCTP capacity-building described here includes its Regional Networks of Excellence and its Consortia for public health emergencies which provide the foundation for sustained efforts against emerging and re-emerging global health threats.