African Population and Health Research Center

09/03/2026

For two decades, ’s Countdown to 2030 Initiative has contributed to global conversation on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health.

From globally recognized country dashboards and equity profiles to methodological innovations and country-led analytical capacity, the initiative has worked alongside governments and partners to strengthen data-driven accountability particularly across sub-saharan Africa.

As we mark 20 years of Countdown, join us for a candid conversation reflecting on the lessons learned and what the future holds for health data systems, evidence, and accountability.

📅 Thursday, April 9, 2026
🕒 13:00–14:30 (GMT) | 16:00–17:30 (EAT)

🔗 Register here: https://buff.ly/ov7i2PR

09/03/2026

theme "Give to Gain" challenges us to rethink what we invest in. It reminds us that to achieve a better, and more equitable world, we must be willing to give our resources, attention, and power.

In his latest blog, ’s Erick Muge, shares reflections from the Addressing Neglected Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa (ANeSA) initiative’s situation analysis report, revealing exactly what happens when we fail to give.

When we don't give girls access to education, they are kept at home for marriage. When we don't give families economic support, drought and poverty force them to rely on bride price for survival. When we don't give survivors access to health services, violence is normalized and endured in silence.

Findings from the ANeSA initiative reveal inequality in Turkana:
➡️ 1 in 7 girls aged 15-19 years is married.
➡ ️Some girls are married off at just 12 years old.
➡️ 1 in 5 girls becomes pregnant before her body is ready.
➡️ Violence remains constant, a silenced shadow.

This , let's embrace the true meaning of "Give to Gain." Let's give:
✅ Mobile health services to reach the most remote girls.
✅ Legal literacy so families know their rights.
✅ Enforcement of laws that give girls protection, not just promises.
✅ Trust in girls as the experts of their own lives.

Give, so that all may gain.
Read more here: https://buff.ly/2zuaelf

APHRC is a premier research-to-policy institution, generating evidence, strengthening research and related capacity in the African research and development ecosystem, and engaging policy to inform action on health and development.

05/03/2026

Today, ’s Executive Director, Dr. Catherine Kyobutungi, delivered remarks on cross-hub collaboration on climate change and health at the launch of the Pan-African Climate Change and Health Centre during the 2nd Primary Health Care (PHC) Congress.

Dr. Kyobutungi highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration among African research and policy institutions to advance the continent’s voice in climate and health negotiations, including mobilizing financing and supporting the implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures.

APHRC remains committed to advancing research and partnerships at the intersection of climate change and health to support resilient systems and sustainable development across Africa.

04/03/2026

Looking to expand your research network in Africa?

Join one of ’s 22+ Communities of Practice, spanning health systems, population dynamics, gender, urbanization, data science, policy translation, and much more.

Find your community: https://cop.aphrc.org/

03/03/2026

has welcomed its twelfth cohort of fellows, 22 exceptional PhD candidates undertaking diverse doctoral programs in CARTA’s partner universities and research institutions across Africa.

is currently participating in Joint Advanced Seminar one (JAS 1), hosted by , from March 2 – 20, 2026. The intensive three-week program enhances critical thinking, strengthens technical skills, and builds essential research competencies, laying a strong foundation for the fellows’ PhD journeys.

With the admission of , the cumulative number of enrolled fellows since 2011 now stands at 287, with 195 having graduated to date.

03/03/2026

Antimicrobial resistance ( ) continues to rise across Africa, yet antibiotic stewardship is a powerful tool to tackle it ensuring antibiotics are used only when necessary, in the right way, at the right dose, and for the right duration.

Strengthening stewardship protects the effectiveness of these medicines, improves patient outcomes, and safeguards public health.

In webinar two of the Strengthening Regional AMR Research Systems in Africa series, we will unpack what drives antibiotic misuse and share practical, evidence-based strategies to improve prescribing, dispensing, and use across African settings. Dr. Daniel Valia (Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro) will share his experience implementing the CABU-EICO project (https://buff.ly/OVV7BMO) in Burkina Faso under the initiative.

Register to join the session on March 5 at 4:00 PM (EAT): https://buff.ly/hdkQl5s

03/03/2026

The ’s Data Science Without Borders (DSWB) initiative Annual General Meeting kicked off yesterday, bringing together leaders in data science, digital health, and research governance from across Africa.

The opening session featured project’s principal investigators ’s Agnes Kiragga Dr. Rawleigh Howe from the Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Dr. Moussa Sarr from the IRESSEF - Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance, and Training, and Dr. Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane from Hôpital Général de Douala. Together, they reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening trusted, collaborative data systems across the continent.

Reinforcing this call to action, 's Andre Pascal Kengne highlighted the urgency of data-driven health systems, noting, "Data is the new essential medicine. Predictive analytics is the prescription. Africa’s NCD prevention depends on it.”

In her keynote, Dr Joyce Wamicwe from the Digital Health Agency - Kenya emphasized that data is the foundation of every meaningful health system decision; without it, there is no real conversation about healthcare.

02/03/2026

On this , 's Dr. Jacqueline Kung'u reminds us that quality, local procurement, and nutrition must be at the heart of school meal programs.

02/03/2026

Congratulations to Deborah 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Our first recipient of the Pauline Bakibinga Memorial Scholarship, Deborah Neumbe, has successfully completed her MSc in Bioinformatics from Makerere University, marking a major milestone in her research journey!

The scholarship is an award established in honour of the late Dr. Pauline Bakibinga to support outstanding female scientists in digital health across East Africa.

Deborah’s project, rMAP‑WEB, transformed a complex bioinformatics command‑line tool into a user‑friendly web platform for bacterial genomic analysis, making antimicrobial resistance surveillance more accessible to health workers and researchers.

This is not just a personal achievement for Deborah but also a contribution to strengthening genomic research and public health innovation in Africa. She has already begun training potential end‑users and is deepening her impact by refining this tool and expanding its capabilities.

👉 Learn more: https://buff.ly/OqWisXH

27/02/2026

In Loving Memory of Dr. Eshetu Girma

Today, we held a memorial service at the APHRC Campus for our departed colleague, Dr. Eshetu Girma, who rested on December 1, 2025.

It was a beautiful gathering of family, friends, colleagues, and partners who shared stories that spoke to who Eshetu was: a loving husband, an amazing father, a warm son, a caring brother, a jovial friend, the kindest of human beings, a brilliant professional, and a committed scientist.

Eshetu’s life, relationships, character, and the love that surrounded him is inspiring and a powerful reminder that we impact every person we interact with. Eshetu lived a meaningful, and purposeful life.

It was truly a privilege to have Eshetu in our lives. His memory will be a blessing to us at APHRC. Gone, but never forgotten. May Eshetu’s soul continue to rest in eternal peace.

27/02/2026

What is Data Governance and why does it matter?

This foundational module introduces the essential principles and structures that guide responsible data management.

You will learn about:
✅ Core principles of data governance
✅ Roles and responsibilities in data oversight
✅ Institutional governance frameworks
✅ Ethical and accountable data stewardship

Strengthen your foundation in responsible data practice and support transparent, impactful research.

🎓 Free enrollment
🔗 Access the course at: https://buff.ly/IlOIQm6

Offered by the African Population and Health Research Center through the Virtual Learning Academy.

Welcome to the home of flexible, accessible and high quality world-class learning that promote research evidence generation and uptake, advancing Africa’s self-sufficiency in R&D. Join us here