African training network for biostatistics, epidemiology and infectious disease modelling

The 2021 WHO disease outlook for Africa highlighted critical skill shortages in big data handling, AI-driven disease analysis, and predictive analytics. In response, we have established the African Training Network for Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Infectious Diseases Modelling (AFRITRAC) to bridge these gaps. AFRITRAC brings together leading academic and public health institutions across Central, East and West Africa, supported by the University of St Andrews, the UK’s 3rd oldest with top school of Mathematics and Statistics. Our interdisciplinary faculty including epidemiologists, biostatisticians, mathematical modellers and behavioural scientists will train 28 (10 masters- and 18 modelling- fellows) well-rounded epidemiologists and infectious disease modellers across eight Sub-Saharan countries most affected by disease outbreaks. There are eight SSA universities in our consortium, four of which have existing biostatistics and epidemiology masters programmes and will offer the training whilst the remaining four will be mentored to develop the same programmes. This will ensure sustained production of these specialists to realise the needed number beyond this project's lifespan. Working with participating universities, we will seek to harmonise and standardise epidemiology training curriculum. Our consortium is purposely constituted to offer intra-African mobility between French and English-speaking countries. Besides technical training, our trainees will be empowered with soft skills of communication (learning either French or English) and community engagement. With these skills, our graduates will be able to work beyond their national borders and be of great value to Africa at large. This initiative aligns with the Africa CDC 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, addressing workforce shortages, including a deficit of over 4,000 field epidemiologists. Investing in Africa’s young population is key to achieving the Agenda 2063 vision: “The Africa We Want.”