Health sciences research (HSciR) includes basic, clinical and applied science on human health and well-being, as well as the determinants, prevention, detection, treatment and management of disease including infection prevention and control (IPC). A good majority of HSciR has taken place in the global North. In 2018, it was reported that less than 1% of science articles published globally each year includes an author based in any African institution. In all parameters for tracking capacity for health research by the global observatory for health research and development, Africa scored very poorly. There is a growing call for more investment in HSciR in Africa as captured in the SDGs 3b, 9.5 and 12.A and the WHO Global Strategy on IPC 2023.

Few IPC researches have been conducted in Africa across different themes and WHO core components of IPC. Majority of these researches are of cross-sectional designs, with a few RCTs and systematic reviews. In a recent IPC related systematic review focused on Africa, it highlighted the gaps in the quality of IPC research in Africa and recommended having more pragmatic study designs with improved methodological rigor.

High quality IPC research in Africa for Africa will be very important to address contextual issues including the local determinants of the high HAI/AMR burden, local solutions to overcome resource constraints, validation and adaption of surveillance protocols and IPC guidelines and informing local policies.

Strengthening local IPC research capacity will require an Afrocentric research agenda, and developing framework for funding, mentorship and collaboration.