A Public Health Modelling & Data Science Fellowship Centre of Excellence in West and Central Africa

West and Central Africa face a critical shortage of professionals trained in data-driven health research. Expertise in biostatistics, epidemiology, and mathematical modelling is essential for disease surveillance, outbreak prediction, and strengthening health systems. This gap is particularly acute in French-speaking and Lusophone countries, where investment in such capacity has been limited. The Public Health Modelling and data Science Hub (PHM Hub) is the first Centre of Excellence in the region dedicated to addressing this challenge. This 4.5-year project is led by a consortium of three French-speaking African institutions, IRESSEF and UCAD in Senegal and CERMEL in Gabon, working in close collaboration with four European universities: University of Liege, Medical University of Vienna, University of Exeter and University of Tübingen.The PHM Hub aims to build a new generation of African experts in biostatistics, epidemiology, infectious disease modeling and data science to improve preparedness and response to epidemics. The program will train 20 students in a master 2 program in biostatistics coupled with in depth teachings in epidemiology and mathematical modeling. These full-time trainees will be enrolled at UCAD. In addition to the master 2 stream, the PHM Hub will initiate a university diploma (DU) in Infectious Disease Dynamics and Modeling at UCAD and IRESSEF. Designed for master’s graduates, MDs, early-career researchers, and health professionals, the DU will be delivered to 15 graduates through a series of intensive workshops at IRESSEF premises. Trainees will receive full support, including tuitions’ fees, monthly stipends, laptops and software. A tailored mentoring and personal development program will enhance their career prospects. The PHM Hub will produce a highly skilled, sustainable workforce able to transform surveillance data into public health action, ultimately strengthening health security in French-speaking and Lusophone Africa.