The Future of Rheumatology Leadership in Africa: Building Capacity in Underserved Regions Through South-South...

Rheumatology in Africa faces significant systemic challenges, including underfunding, limited training opportunities, specialist shortages, and scarce diagnostics and treatments. These barriers perpetuate poor outcomes for rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease patients, especially in underserved regions. This article highlights how South-South collaboration yields training partnerships, regional excellence hubs, e-learning, and patient advocacy. It offers contextually relevant sustainable solutions, such as successful initiatives in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia, illustrating how African-led networks strengthen services and develop leaders while reducing brain drain. Addressing funding, policy, and infrastructure gaps is critical to achieving equitable rheumatology care and building resilient, locally driven capacity pan-continent.