Why diaspora science matters for strengthening Africa’s health and innovation ecosystem

Why diaspora science matters for strengthening Africa’s health and innovation ecosystem

Co-hosted by: African Diaspora Network & Opella

Overview

Africa carries nearly a quarter of the global disease burden yet produces only about 2% of health research and attracts just 1% of global R&D investment. As part of Agenda 2063, the African Union has placed science, technology, and innovation at the heart of its development agenda, with the African diaspora increasingly contributing technical expertise, mentorship, and capital.

Africa’s ongoing challenges with infectious and non-communicable diseases create significant opportunities for innovation in vaccines, medicines, health technologies, over-the-counter products, wellness, and self-care. These areas are closely interconnected, and progress in one can strengthen the others. For instance, expanding self-care and wellness can help prevent avoidable illness, reduce pressure on overstretched health systems, and enhance both clinical and public health efforts. This is especially important in many African communities where pharmacists and local providers are more accessible than doctors, making community-led self-care a particularly effective tool for prevention. Global self-care companies such as Opella demonstrate how science-based products can be paired with large-scale health literacy campaigns and community programs that address local health needs. Their sustainability and inclusion-focused approach offers valuable lessons for building scalable, self-care partnerships across African communities

This joint ADN-Opella webinar will bring these themes together, exploring how self-care, wellness, and formal R&D efforts reinforce one another and how African diaspora leaders in the wellness industry can collaborate with Africa-based experts and companies to drive innovation.

The discussion highlighted several key takeaways:

Self-care is essential (not optional) in global health: With 3.6 billion people lacking access to primary healthcare, self-care is often the only care many communities receive. It plays a critical role in prevention, early treatment, and easing pressure on overstretched health systems, particularly in low-and middle-income countries.
Africa’s health R&D gap is a call to action: Africa carries ~25% of the global disease burden but produces only ~2% of health research and attracts ~1% of global R&D investment. These disparities should not be viewed as a verdict, but as an opportunity to reshape Africa’s health innovation ecosystem through intentional investment and partnerships.
Brain circulation, not brain drain: The African diaspora is a powerful catalyst for change – bringing technical expertise, mentorship, capital, and global networks. Diaspora engagement enables a two-way flow of ideas and resources that strengthens Africa’s health systems rather than depleting them.
Self-care, wellness, and formal R&D are deeply interconnected: Self-care is not separate from healthcare – it is a foundational layer of the health ecosystem. Prevention, OTC medicines, pharmacist-led care, and health literacy complement clinical care and formal R&D, creating a more resilient, end-to-end system.
Pharmacists and community providers are frontline health leaders: In many African contexts, pharmacists are more accessible and trusted than physicians. Investing in their training, tools, and regulatory support can dramatically expand access to care and improve health outcomes at the community level.
Public-private partnerships are critical for scale and impact: Collaboration between governments, industry, academia, and communities can accelerate R&D, strengthen regulatory systems, expand access to medicines, and improve health literacy. The African Medicines Agency (AMA) is a key step toward regulatory harmonization and regional health sovereignty.
Regulation must balance access with safety: OTC access can expand self-care, but it must be paired with strong regulatory frameworks, appropriate diagnostics (e.g., rapid tests for malaria), and responsible use to prevent misuse and resistance.
Innovation must be locally grounded: Health solutions must be adapted, not copied, to local realities. Community-by-community, country-by-country approaches are essential, as disease patterns, infrastructure, and cultural contexts vary widely across Africa.
Health literacy is as important as products: Self-care succeeds when people understand their health. Education, culturally relevant communication, and simple, accessible information empower individuals to make informed decisions and seek care earlier.

Speakers

Josephine Fubara

Chief Science Officer, Opella

Keynote Speaker

André Tchouatieu

Director Access and Product Management at Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV)

Panelist

Dr. Fidele Ntie-Kang

Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Head of the University of Buea Center for Drug Discovery (UB-CeDD)

Panelist

Feirouz Ellouze

Head of of Africa/Middle East/Turkey, Opella

Panelist

Fredros Okumu

Professor at the University of Glasgow & Science Advisor for ADN’s ASCE Program

Moderator