Nov–Dec2025Virtual
AVAREF Pilot Network – Expert support review
Supported by the AVAREF Pilot Reviewer Team.
WHAT'S AVAREF
Our Vision
A continent where every African has timely access to innovative, safe, effective, and affordable medicines, vaccines, and other health products of assured quality.
Our Mission
Supporting African countries to strengthen clinical trial ecosystem through regulatory and ethical oversight, harmonization, timely decisions, and promotion of excellence along the innovation life cycle.
Engage With Us
Stay informed about AVAREF’s latest work, publications, and upcoming events, and join the community advancing clinical trial excellence in Africa.
AVAREF Ecosystem Survey 2025 – Initiative
×The AVAREF Ecosystem Survey 2025 is a regional evidence-building initiative designed to map the current state of clinical trial oversight across Africa. It provides a standardized baseline of how National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and Ethics Committees (ECs) operate, including their review timelines, staffing, resources, digital systems, and emergency preparedness.
By collecting accurate, nationally validated information, the initiative supports AVAREF’s mandate to strengthen regulatory systems, improve harmonization, and accelerate access to high-quality clinical trials. The data will help identify bottlenecks, highlight priority gaps, and guide targeted capacity-building efforts such as training, policy development, digital transformation, and regional collaboration.
Insights from the survey will also inform the long-term AVAREF Strategic Roadmap (2025–2035), including development of harmonized pathways, strengthening of joint review mechanisms, and investment planning. The results will be used to track progress over time and support transparent, evidence-based regulatory strengthening across the continent.
Featured & Upcoming Events
Shows 6 most recent by default. Use filters (status, type, year, category) or click Next to browse older activities.
Nov–Dec2025Virtual
Multi-country scientific advice
Supported by the AVAREF Pilot Reviewer Team.
Apr–Nov2025Virtual
Reliance-based facilitated registration
Accelerating access while maintaining rigorous review.
Apr–Sep2025Virtual
Ebola post-exposure prophylaxis CTA
Harmonized scientific, ethical, and safety assessment.
Mar–Aug2025Virtual
Preparedness master protocols (platform trials)
Adaptive platform design + ethics preparedness.
28–29MAY2025
TCC – Mid-year technical review
Validated priorities for second half of 2025.
02–03OCT2025
AVAREF Digital Platform workshop
Hands-on training for joint reviews and reliance workflows.
24–26SEP2025
ATMP regulatory frameworks (TRS 1048)
Preparedness for advanced therapies regulation.
22–23SEP2025
Pilot countries harmonization kickoff
Regulatory convergence across pilot countries.
Aug–Oct2024Virtual
Emergency facilitated review (EUA)
Coordinated emergency regulatory responses.
Jun–Sep2024Hybrid
R21/Matrix-M facilitated review (reliance)
Accelerated synchronized assessment using reliance principles.
Apr–Jun2024Virtual
Severe Malaria CTA – SMAART-MAP
Harmonized scientific + ethics assessment.
Jan–Feb2024Hybrid
TB vaccine candidate CTA joint review
Harmonized scientific, safety and ethical considerations.
19–20SEP2024
Advisory Committee – Strategic guidance
Guidance for AVAREF in the era of AMA.
15–16SEP2024
TCC – Technical agenda & AC recommendations
Prepared recommendations for the Advisory Committee.
MAR2024Virtual
TCC – Annual technical review
Reviewed 2023–2024 progress and priorities.
23–27SEP2024
CTA assessment training (Francophone)
First comprehensive CTA course tailored for francophone NRAs.
18–20SEP2024
Ethics oversight & WHO benchmarking tool
Strengthened NEC/IRB capacity for clinical trial review.
15–19JUL2024
CTA training (Southern & Eastern Africa)
Practical dossier-based exercises using AVAREF tools.
15–19APR2024
CTA assessment training (West Africa)
Hands-on training using real dossiers and AVAREF grids.
22–26JUL2024
Clinical trial ecosystem optimization mission
Mapped bottlenecks and developed optimization actions.
23–26JAN2024
Clinical trial ecosystem optimization mission
Identified bottlenecks and optimization roadmap.
27–29NOV2023
AACVS meeting
African Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety.
Event title
Type
Status
Overview
Summary / Details