CONTRIBUTORS
Ann Waithaka
Senior Communications Officer
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest public health threats of our time, disproportionately affecting Africa. The continent faces the highest AMR mortality rate globally, with over 700,000 deaths annually – a number projected to reach 10 million by 2050 if urgent action is not taken (Africa CDC, 2024).
Recognizing the urgency of this crisis, APHRC is collaborating with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), to combat AMR under the Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR) framework. As a fund manager on behalf of Sida, APHRC is supporting 20 partners to efficiently and effectively implement 16 JPIAMR initiatives (as of December 2024) across African institutions. By strengthening their capacities in AMR research and grant management, the African researchers and institutions will be well-equipped to implement the JPIAMR projects in a timely, effective and efficient manner and ultimately take a leading role in addressing AMR.
A Gathering of Minds
On January 21 – 23, 2025, APHRC convened implementing partners of the JPIAMR Fund Management program’s past and current initiatives for a Research and Grant Management Capacity Strengthening Forum at its campus in Nairobi. The workshop provided a platform for the partners to showcase their achievements, discuss challenges, and refine strategies for maximizing impact.
On the opening day, participants benefitted from insights from Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director at APHRC, and Markus Moll, Research Advisor at Sida. The two emphasized the urgency of tackling AMR and the critical role that African researchers and institutions play in driving sustainable solutions. In her keynote address, Laetitia Gahimbare, a Technical Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted the WHO-AMR Research Agenda for Africa and the need for cross-sector collaboration under the One Health approach.
Sessions over the three days featured high-level discussions on strengthening AMR research, enhancing grant and project management, and fostering collaboration across institutions. Notably, the workshop underscored the One Health approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in tackling AMR. Key themes from the forum included:
Project governance and financial management: Implementing partners shared lessons on navigating the complexities of research funding and institutional governance.
Risk management and sustainability: Experts guided institutions on securing long-term funding and building resilience against financial and operational challenges.
Capacity building and mentorship: The forum highlighted APHRC’s commitment to strengthening research capacity through training programs and mentorship opportunities. In addition, the partners peer-reviewed each other’s projects and provided substantive feedback to facilitate the refining of the projects, inform future projects, and consider future partnerships in the fight against AMR.
Lessons from the projects: Partners showcased their projects and shared experiences in managing the AMR research projects, discussing achievements, challenges, and unique experiences while implementing their projects.
Reflections from Participants
Participants found the sessions highly valuable, with some of the attendees noting:
Un atelier intéressant qui permet des échanges et facilite le réseautage entre les chercheurs et les institutions. Le partage des connaissances favorise l’amélioration dans la gestion au sein des institutions et des projets.
[English translation: An interesting workshop, which allows exchanges and the expansion of networking between researchers and institutions. Knowledge sharing promotes improvement in the management of institutions and projects.]
Bijou Mbangi
Project Coordinator, Centre de Recherche en Santé de Kimpese
JPIAMR initiative: Optimising community antibiotic use and environmental infection control with behavioural interventions in rural Burkina Faso and DR Congo (CABU-EICO)
Thank you to APHRC and Sida for sponsoring, coordinating, and bringing together a diverse group of projects. I commend the excellent organization of this workshop, providing important collaboration opportunities towards understanding and reducing antimicrobial resistance – taking a One Health approach.
Derek Chan
Researcher, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
JPIAMR initiative: Selecting Efficient Farm-level Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions from a one health perspective (SEFASI)
J’ai beaucoup appris durant l’atelier concernant la gestion des risques, la gestion financière des projets, le norme GFGP, comment avoir des subventions, le partage d’expérience. J’ai eu beaucoup d’idées que je vais mettre en application pour une gestion financière efficace et efficiente des projets. Une chose que j’ai retenue de façon générale est que la communication est la clé de la recherche, et que nous devons provoquer les opportunités et non les attendre. J’ai passé un séjour agréable avec vous tous, je suis très heureux de faire partie de cette communauté.
[English translation: I learned a lot during the workshop regarding risk management, financial management of projects, the GFGP standard, how to obtain grants, and sharing experiences. I had a lot of ideas that I will implement for effective and efficient financial management of projects. One thing I learned in general is that communication is key in research, and that we must provoke opportunities, not wait for opportunities. I had a good time with you all, I am very happy to be part of this community.]
Shola Able-Thomas
Scientific Officer, Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia
JPIAMR initiative: A K-mer Based Approach for Institutional AMR Surveillance, Transmission Monitoring, and Rapid Diagnostics (K-STaR)
The Road Ahead
The fight against AMR requires a concerted and sustained commitment from researchers, policymakers, funders, global partners, and communities. As the JPIAMR Fund Management initiative continues through to 2028, its progress so far has laid a strong foundation for even greater impact. APHRC’s role in fund management and capacity strengthening ensures that African institutions are not just recipients of global funding but active leaders in the search for solutions to combat AMR. By fostering collaboration, enhancing institutional capacity, and investing in innovative research, the initiative is making significant strides in safeguarding public health across Africa.