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African Diaspora Network (ADN) is committed to utilizing its vast global community of more than 11,000 professionals to curate entrepreneurial and social impact initiatives with African-based innovators to exponentially improve economic growth by advancing the research and development (R&D) ecosystem on the African continent. This initiative will leverage ADN’s valued network to inform and engage health science and research leaders to foster effective and robust transnational collaborations enhancing the continental R&D ecosystem to improve health outcomes in Africa and contribute to global efforts.
ADN brings more than fourteen years fostering the collective power of the African diaspora and is uniquely positioned to galvanize partnerships with peers on the African continent to address pressing R&D issues while elevating African leadership and representation globally. This initiative is driven by these stark statistics that Africa bears 20% of the global disease burden yet has the lowest density of health workers per population among regions at two physicians and ten nurses/midwives per 10,000 people (WHO). African research institutions, despite record growth in publications, contribute less than 1 percent to the worldwide scientific output. This disproportionate contrast underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts generating collaboration and action from the combined transnational science and research communities.
This proposal outlines ADN’s unique capability to significantly expand connections and collaborations between senior science and research leaders on the continent and African diaspora science leaders in the global health R&D arena. ADN will pursue mutually beneficial impact goals:
Over a span of four years, the program seeks to develop and grow Africa based R&D collaborations with the African Diaspora and continental scientists, public and private organizations, academia, research centers, and investors by matching interests and expertise. ADN will establish a hub and database to facilitate and cultivate generative connections that can translate into concrete actions toward building African community-led collaborations and opportunities for policy, financing, and greater investments by facilitating intentional connections.
ADN and its Advisory Council will leverage its corporate, higher education, and NGO relationships to facilitate relations between its accomplished senior science professionals with their peers on the continent to support ongoing engagement well beyond the tenure of any one program. This high-level outreach combined with ADN’s convening power will manifest in meaningful connections online and in person. Connections are defined as initiated links between two or more parties from introductions to Memorandums of Understanding, shared contacts and financing, to long-term strategic partnerships.
ADN will begin to develop systematic approaches to accelerate connections and collective action in the following case study areas.
Explore drug discovery and pharmacogenomics with leading decision makers such as Kelly Chibale, University of Cape Town H3D Center, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, Roche, HBCU Medical Colleges, Grand Challenges Africa Drug Discovery Accelerator Program Main Investigators, and invite a Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship Drug Discovery investigator. In this case study, in addition to establishing a unique transnational coalition, a strong focus is to develop new connections and potential collaborations with women in the sector between the US and on the Continent.
By engaging with ADN, you can help address these challenges and elevate Africa’s role in shaping global health and scientific advancements.
Fredros Okumu is a Professor of Vector Biology (Infectious Disease Ecology) at the University of Glasgow, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine; and was formerly the Director of Science at Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania (2016-2023). He is a public health researcher and a mosquito biologist working on improved approaches for control of vector-borne diseases. Fredros is also passionate about improving ecosystems for young researchers in Africa. He serves in various advisory groups including WHO Malaria Policy Advisory Group (MPAG) and the Gates Foundation’s Malaria Strategic Advisory Panel (MSAP)
Shekha Salum Mohamed, is a Community and Stakeholder Engagement Practitioner, Affiliated with both the Global Health Network at the University of Oxford, UK, and Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania. She holds a master’s in public health (MPH) from the University of Glasgow, an MBA in Corporate Management from Mzumbe University, and a BBA in Administration from St. Augustine University, Tanzania. Shekha combines expertise in public health and corporate management to drive innovative health solutions across Africa, advancing collaboration, research, and strategic leadership. She is particularly passionate about advancing public health initiatives and building supportive research environments for young scientists in low-income settings. Over the years, she has supported a variety of projects on malaria and other infectious diseases. She has extensive experience managing projects funded by UNITAID, USAID, and BMGF, many of these with multi-level relationships within organizations and with external stakeholders.
Almaz Negash, a prominent trailblazer in Silicon Valley, has been recognized as one of the 12 inaugural members of President Biden’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States. Leveraging 25 plus years of experience in international trade, business management, and social innovation, Negash is able to build successful partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, including Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, investors, and entrepreneurs based in the USA and around the world. In 2010, Almaz founded African Diaspora Network (ADN) to inform and engage Africans in the diaspora and facilitate direct collaboration with social entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders to invest and improve the lives of everyone on the continent.She has also been named as one of Silicon Valley 100 outstanding Women of Influence for her significant contributions to social innovation.
Omolayo is a multi-lingual strategist and researcher with over ten years experience in international development and has worked with or for African diaspora communities across the US, Europe and Africa to mobilise, impact and advocate for their needs and interests. Omolayo holds an MSc with Distinction in Migration, Mobility and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Prior to joining ADN, Omolayo was a research manager and gender specialist at DMA Global where she oversaw key projects for organisations such as the World Bank, IOM and others.