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Building a sustainable and connected clinical research landscape in Africa

AVAREF adopts an ecosystem and life-cycle approach to strengthen and sustain Africa’s clinical research ecosystem. Clinical trials are an indicator of innovation and outcome of research. As such, AVAREF recognizes the importance of all actors from researchers to patients and the communities that use the products. As such, beyond regulatory and ethics reviews, AVAREF actively contributes to networks that facilitate the interconnectedness between researchers, ethics committees, clinical trial sites, regulators, manufacturers, and patients ensuring that integration and connectedness across the entire continuum. 

Strengthening Africa’s Vaccine Research Landscape

AVAREF leverages its established network of National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and National Ethics Committees (NECs) to create an integrated platform for research and development, clinical research centres, health product manufacturers, and networks for product safety and effectiveness.

This initiative aims to:

  • Foster collaboration between regulators, ethics committees, researchers, and manufacturers.
  • Provide fora for dialogue, networking, and growth in clinical trials through strengthening workforce, infrastructure, harmonization, and excellence.
  • Support pandemic and epidemic preparedness.
Vaccine Research in Africa

Connecting Researchers for Innovation in Africa

Research and Development (R&D) is the gateway to innovation, and clinical trials are a key indicator of scientific advancement. Recognizing this, AVAREF is building a Research and Development Network to connect African researchers, innovators, and clinical trial centers working on new medicines and vaccines for the continent.

Key objectives:

  • Create a collaborative network for researchers involved in medical product innovation.
  • Define a strategy for R&D prioritization focusing on Africa’s health needs.
  • Strengthen connections between R&D institutions, clinical researchers, and trial sites.

The R&D Network will ensure that scientific innovation aligns with public health priorities and accelerates access to locally relevant solutions.

African Research Network

Building World-Class Clinical Trial Sites in Africa

A robust clinical trial ecosystem requires access to high-quality, well-equipped trial sites. Using the WHO Clinical Trial Maturity Framework, AVAREF supports the development of a network of clinical trial units across the continent.

Key features:

  • Identification and support of high-performing trial sites, particularly within teaching hospitals, university medical centers, and research institutions.
  • Promotion of international standards for site readiness, quality assurance, and data integrity.
  • Facilitation of collaboration among clinical investigators, regulators, and ethics committees.

By connecting clinical trial units across the region, AVAREF will help create a continent-wide infrastructure capable of conducting complex, multi-country clinical studies to global standards — supporting the goal of Africa contributing 10% of global clinical trials by 2035.

Clinical Trial Sites in Africa

African Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (AACVS)

AVAREF provides coordination and technical support to the African Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (AACVS), which plays a crucial role in post-market surveillance and vaccine safety signal detection across the region.

This collaboration enhances pharmacovigilance systems, strengthens vaccine confidence, and contributes to the overall safety monitoring framework for immunization programs in Africa.

Clinical Trial Sites in Africa