Dr. Joseph Gichuru, APHRc’s Deputy Executive Director and Prof. Samuel Kariuki, Continental Lead Africa and Eastern Africa, Director, DNDi sign the MoU.
On Monday, 26 January 2026, the Africa Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the APHRC Campus in Nairobi, marking a significant step toward advancing equitable, Africa-centered research and innovation to address neglected diseases and strengthen health systems across the continent.
The newly formed partnership establishes a formal framework for collaboration in joint research, innovation, and the delivery of evidence-based programs, policy work, and capacity-strengthening initiatives. These efforts will target key stakeholders, including research institutions, policymakers, health practitioners, and communities, with a shared goal of translating research into meaningful health outcomes for African populations.
“APHRC is committed to strengthening Africa’s Research and development ecosystem, and this collaboration with DNDi directly aligns with the Center’s core work of strengthening research and research-related capacities,” noted Joseph Gichuru, APHRC’s Deputy Executive Director.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Samuel Kariuki, DNDi’s Continental Lead and Office Director, expressed optimism about the partnership, highlighting opportunities to collaborate on health issues that disproportionately affect African populations. “We look forward to working together across our diverse areas of work, including jointly mobilizing resources, influencing policy through coordinated advocacy, and forging a shared agenda that will amplify impact across the continent,” stated Prof. Samuel Kariuki.
Adding to this, Luchuo Engelbert, APHRC’s Head of International Programs, highlighted, “APHRC’s Emerging and Infectious Diseases work is a strong anchor for collaboration, particularly in advancing clinical trials and strengthening Africa’s research and development core competencies.” He also noted that science communication would be a key pillar of the partnership, enabling both organizations to jointly amplify research insights and effectively disseminate evidence to inform decision-making across Africa.
The MoU is a critical milestone for both organizations, aligning their strategic priorities and setting the foundation for coordinated implementation. By leveraging their complementary strengths, APHRC and DNDi aim to contribute to a more robust research and development ecosystem in Africa and respond to the continent’s health challenges.
APHRC and DNDi’s partnership is a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and evidence-driven action that aims at placing Africa at the center of solutions to neglected diseases and health system challenges.
