FAIR African brain data: challenges and opportunities

Eberechi Wogu ¹, George Ogoh ², Patrick Filima ¹

⁰Department of Anatomy, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Frontiers in Neuroinformatics +

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March 18, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

African brain data is underrepresented in global open science, limiting research generalizability. Addressing technical, economic, and socio-cultural challenges is crucial for building a FAIR African brain data ecosystem.

Area Of Science

Neuroscience
Open Science
Data Management

Background

Research effectiveness hinges on diverse, Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) datasets.
The global brain data landscape lacks diversity, particularly from low- and middle-income countries in Africa, hindering generalizable research outputs.
This data gap risks excluding African populations from decades of neuroscience advancements.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the challenges and opportunities for collecting and managing FAIR brain data in Africa.
To understand the perspectives of the African neuroscience community on data sharing and accessibility.

Main Methods

Combined experiential research (hands-on data collection) with a survey questionnaire.
Experiential research involved direct engagement with African brain data collection processes.
Survey questionnaire validated experiential findings and gathered broader community input.

Main Results

Experiential research identified socio-cultural, economic, technical, ethical, and legal challenges to FAIR African brain data.
Key opportunities include capacity development, infrastructure enhancement, funding, and policy reform.
Community survey prioritized challenges as: Technical, economic, socio-cultural, and ethical/legal.

Conclusions

African researchers must collaborate to overcome data challenges and foster an inclusive FAIR brain data ecosystem.
The ecosystem needs to be socially acceptable, ethically responsible, technically robust, and legally compliant.
Collective action is essential for maximizing efforts and ensuring equitable representation in global neuroscience.

Keywords:

African neuroscience FAIR brain data neuroimaging neuroinformatics