SFA launches DELTA II program to spearhead US$70million on quality health research

KENYA —The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA) has launched the second phase of the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training, and Science in Africa (DELTA II) program, aimed at cultivating exceptional health research and scientific leaders in Africa.

With funding support from Wellcome and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), DELTAS II will provide US$70 million to develop world-class research capabilities on the continent.

Building upon the success of its initial phase, DELTAS Africa II follows a five-year program implemented by the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).

The inaugural DELTAS I initiative currently supports 14 consortia across nine African countries, collaborating with partners worldwide to generate high-quality scientific data for evidence-based decision-making, all under the guidance of world-class science leaders working in conducive environments.

The impact of DELTAS Africa I (2015-2022) has been significant. For instance, it played a pivotal role in advising the World Health Organization on developing a rabies elimination protocol and creating an affordable HIV drug resistance test in Botswana.

Moreover, DELTAS I contributed to the economic agenda by generating high-value jobs, including training over 2,000 researchers at various levels, with an emphasis on gender equity.

During the first phase, the consortia made remarkable strides in enhancing Africa’s scientific quality and productivity.

They collectively produced 1,496 peer-reviewed articles, secured additional grants worth US$267 million, and earned 339 prizes for scientific excellence totaling US$9.1 million.

Led by distinguished African research leaders, these consortia recognize the interconnectedness of climate change, food security, and health, emphasizing the importance of both research excellence and equity.

DELTAS II (2023 to 2026) aims to support 14 programs in 75 institutions across 36 countries, including those in North Africa and Lusophone countries that were previously not covered.

The program places a strong emphasis on intra-African collaboration, engagement, and partnership, particularly between institutions with relatively greater resources and those with fewer resources.

Currently, the consortia are engaged in projects spanning countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe.

The overarching mission of the SFA Foundation is to advance evidence and knowledge in key research and development (R&D) priorities, encompassing areas such as infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, HIV, tuberculosis), neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases, as well as social sciences and humanities.

Ultimately, the program aims to empower the new generation of leaders to contribute to scientific research, policy, and practice while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the African continent.

Dr. Alphonsus Neba, Deputy Director of Programmes and DELTAS Africa Programme Manager at the SFA Foundation, highlighted the importance of the DELTAS program saying, “The DELTAS program paves the way for new scientific leaders who address Africa’s most pressing public health challenges and generate data and evidence that informs policy and Africa’s development agenda.”

Tom Kariuki, SFA Executive Director, emphasized the pan-African, multidisciplinary, and cross-disciplinary nature of the program, ensuring that researchers and institutions are not left behind in their efforts to bridge critical gaps in the science ecosystem.

While African governments have made investments in foundational elements of research and development, such as higher education systems and infrastructure, the continent’s overall contribution to global R&D remains relatively low at 1.3%.

African nations allocate an average national budget of only 0.4% of their gross domestic product (GDP) for R&D, significantly lower than the global average of 1.4%-1.7% according to the UNESCO Science Report Towards 2030.

Consequently, Africa’s research capacity lags behind the rest of the world, hindering its ability to address the challenges that face the continent.

Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from various stakeholders, including governments, universities, funding agencies, and international collaborations.

Consequently, one of the biggest challenges that limit the continent’s research capacity is limited or lack of adequate funding. Governments on the continent and their partners should prioritize resources to support scientific research, infrastructure development, and competitive research grants.

Also of great importance is the continent’s ability to retain and attract talent by improving working conditions, providing competitive salaries, and offering research grants and fellowships. Creating an enabling environment for career advancement and professional development is crucial.

Other efforts that have contributed to other research centers’ success include, strengthening institutional capacity that supports a conducive research environment, promoting international collaboration, partnerships, exchange programs, and joint research projects as well as improving science education at all levels.

By addressing these challenges and implementing targeted strategies, Africa can enhance its research capacity, promote scientific innovation, and contribute significantly to local development and global scientific advancements.

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