Science Without Borders:

Strengthening Africa’s Health and Economic Future Through Global Collaboration

Recognizing the transformational power of science and innovation, the African Diaspora Network (ADN) is collaborating with scientific leaders across the continent and in the diaspora to develop a strategic framework that identifies, connects, and supports African scientists working toward shared goals in health, development, and economic growth.

Building on the 2025 session “Connecting the Dots: How Can We Strengthen Collaboration to Drive Scientific & Economic Progress,” which underscored the urgent need to expand Africa’s research and development capacity, the 2026 healthcare session will spotlight African scientists leading impactful scientific programs and their peers in the diaspora doing the same. This discussion will celebrate extraordinary talents making transformative contributions and explore strategies to deepen collaboration, expand research ecosystems, and scale innovations that can shape the continent’s future.

Speakers

Kedest Tesfagiorgis

Gates Foundation

Moderator

Collen Masimirembwa

Founder and CEO, African Institute of Biomedical Science & Technology (Zimbabwe) Chief Scientific Officer, CradleOmics Innovation Hub, South Africa

Yaw Bediako

Founder and CEO, Yemaachi Biotech, Ghana

Ifyeyinwa Aneibo

Associate Professor, African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease, Nigeria