AFRITRAC project secures Global Health EDCTP3 grant to strengthen Africa’s disease modelling capacity

The African Training Network for Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Infectious Diseases Modelling (AFRITRAC) has been awarded a €1.3 million grant by Global Health EDCTP3 to build critical expertise in data-driven infectious disease control across sub-Saharan Africa.

Running from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2030, AFRITRAC is a 14-partner consortium coordinated by the EDCTP Association with the Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH) as Scientific Lead. The project responds directly to the 2021 WHO disease outlook for Africa, which highlighted major skills gaps in big data handling, AI-driven disease analysis, and predictive analytics.

Strengthening Africa’s disease modelling workforce

AFRITRAC brings together leading academic and public health institutions across Central, East, and West Africa, supported by the University of St Andrews in the UK. Over its four-year duration, the project will train 28 fellows including 10 master’s and 18 modelling fellows—to become well-rounded epidemiologists and infectious disease modellers in eight sub-Saharan African countries most affected by disease outbreaks.

The University of St Andrews (USTAN) is assisting EDCTP Association with the coordination of the AFRITRAC project, alongside Uganda National Institute for Public Health (UNIPH) who are the Scientific Lead on the project.

Dr Wilber Sabiiti, Principal Research Fellow at the School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, said, “The University of St Andrews is proud to have played a critical role in building the consortium that brings Africa together, which showcases the university’s commitment to holistic solutions to global health challenges”

The consortium includes eight universities in sub-Saharan Africa. Four already host established master’s programmes in biostatistics and epidemiology and will deliver training for the fellows, while the remaining four will be mentored to develop similar programmes. This approach is designed to ensure a sustained pipeline of skilled specialists well beyond the project’s lifetime, helping to close the region’s critical workforce gaps.

Dr Alex Riolexus Ario, the Scientific Lead on the AFRITRAC Project, said “This investment represents a pivotal step in cultivating the next generation of African epidemiologists and infectious disease modellers. At the Uganda National Institute of Public Health, we recognize the value of collaborative, Africa-led approaches to capacity building. By strengthening partnerships such as those advanced through AFRITRAC, we are not only enhancing technical expertise but also building a resilient, self-reliant public health workforce for the continent.”

Bridging language and training gaps across the continent

Working in partnership with participating universities, AFRITRAC will also support the harmonisation and standardisation of epidemiology curricula and foster intra-African mobility between French- and English-speaking countries.

In addition to rigorous technical training, fellows will gain essential soft skills in communication, language (French or English), and community engagement, enabling them to operate effectively across borders and within diverse public health systems.

Advancing continental priorities in public health

The AFRITRAC project is closely aligned with the Africa CDC 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, which seeks to address severe workforce shortages, including a deficit of more than 4,000 field epidemiologists across the continent. By investing in Africa’s young professionals, AFRITRAC contributes to the broader African Union Agenda 2063 vision: “The Africa We Want.”

“Through AFRITRAC, the EDCTP Association is proud to work with a diverse group of African and European institutions around a shared vision: strengthening the continent’s ability to prevent, detect, and control infectious diseases. Our role is to ensure that the project is delivered efficiently, transparently, and with long-term impact for the institutions and communities it serves.”

Dr Debora Bade, Project Officer, EDCTP Association

Through targeted training and institutional strengthening, AFRITRAC aims to ensure that African institutions are better equipped to anticipate, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats using innovative data-driven approaches.

Background

The EDCTP Association acts as the Coordinator of several projects under Global Health EDCTP3 actions that use lump sum funding. As Coordinator, the Association is responsible for facilitating communication between the consortium and Global Health EDCTP3, financial administration by ensuring prompt distribution of payments to beneficiaries, submitting required reports and deliverables, and overseeing the effective project management with the Scientific Project Leader.

The AFRITRAC project is supported by Global Health EDCTP3 and its members.