Experts Gear Up to Advance Clinical Research at the 12th EDCTP Forum in Kigali

KIGALI, RWANDA – As the 12th European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Forum opens at the Kigali Convention Centre from June 15-20, 2025, health experts from around the world are preparing for a week focused on boosting Africa’s role in clinical research.

Despite bearing nearly 25% of the global disease burden, Africa’s contribution to international clinical trials remains around just 3%. Recognizing this gap, participants are set to discuss strategies for expanding local capacity, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and accelerating the development of clinical trial infrastructure across the continent.

During the opening sessions, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, emphasized the importance of this event, stating, “Our goal is to grow from contributing 3% to 20% — and possibly 50% — to global clinical research efforts. This forum is an opportunity to build our capacity, foster partnerships, and develop home-grown solutions that will improve health outcomes across Africa.”

Experts are also focusing on how to leverage new platforms like Rwanda’s recently launched National Health Intelligence Center to facilitate faster data analysis, which is critical for timely trial outcomes. A central discussion point is the African Medicines Agency (AMA), headquartered in Kigali, which aims to harmonize regulatory approval processes and reduce delays for clinical trials across countries.

Throughout the week, participants will explore ways to enhance training for young investigators, expand clinical trial sites, and develop sustainable funding to support continent-wide research efforts. The ultimate aim is to increase Africa’s contribution to global clinical research, which historically has been limited, but holds tremendous potential for addressing local health challenges with locally led solutions.

“The solutions to many of our health problems can come from within Africa,” said Dr. Nsanzimana. “By strengthening our clinical research capacity, we are taking a major step toward ensuring our continent is not just a participant but a leader in global health innovation.”

As the forum continues, the collaborations and strategies developed this week are expected to help position Africa as a more prominent and self-reliant player in clinical research, speeding up the development of critical vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics tailored to the continent’s needs.