Training Hubs for Statisticians, Epidemiologists in Eastern, Central and Western Africa

The ANTENNA consortium is a pioneering initiative to strengthen epidemiology and biostatistics training across Africa through multidisciplinary and cross-regional collaboration. Our project aims to bridge the gap in training by creating a tripartite collaboration to develop three training hubs supported by clinical research organizations, local African universities, and the Ministry of Health of Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal. This multi-country, multi-continental partnership led by the African Population and Health Research Center headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with a West African Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal, will be supported by partners in Europe, including the Institute of Tropical Medicine (IHTM) in Lisbon, Portugal, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Other key partners include the Medical Research Council of Gambia and the Joint Clinical Research Center in Uganda. Our overarching objective is to train 10 fellows in Master of Science in epidemiology and biostatistics selected from clinical research institutions in Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal. Our specific aim: i)To review and develop a standardised curriculum in epidemiology and biostatistics for implementation across three universities in Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal, ii) To develop a cohort of 10 Master's fellows in Epidemiology and Biostatistics selected from Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal, iii) To create a career tracking system for epidemiologists and biostatisticians. The anticipated impact of ANTENNA reaches far beyond the enhancement of individual and institutional skills; it paves the way for transformative improvements in public health data-driven evidence generation, policy formulation, and practice. This initiative will empower the continent to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging and re-emerging health threats by cultivating a robust cohort of highly trained epidemiologists and biostatisticians across Africa.