- Vows To Strengthen Capacity In Clinical Trials Through Local Engagement, Global Partnerships Across Sub-Saharan Africa
The organizers of the Impact Africa Summit (IAS), Xcene Research has announced the central theme for its 6th annual gathering in 2025: “Integrating African Voices: Strengthening Capacity in Clinical Trials through Local Engagement and Global Partnerships Across Sub-Saharan Africa.” The summit will focus on building a self-sustaining clinical research ecosystem that places African expertise and institutions at the forefront of global drug and health development.
The IAS 2025 will be held from November 20th to 22nd, 2025, at the Marriott Hotel Ikeja, Lagos.
Despite possessing genetically diverse populations, unique disease burdens, and a growing pool of scientific talent, Africa currently contributes less than 3% to global clinical trials.
The IAS 2025 is designed to directly address this imbalance, moving beyond models of underutilized capacity and fragmented infrastructure to champion African-led research.
“Africa’s active leadership in clinical research is not only necessary but long overdue,” said Adebukunola Telufusi, CEO of Xcene Research.
“Our goal is to shift the narrative from dependency to equity. This summit is a launch pad for strategic partnerships and internal investments that ensure African researchers are leading trials, publishing evidence, and setting global standards, thereby decreasing the continent’s reliance on external economies for medicines and interventions.”
By convening thought leaders, regulators, sponsors, academic institutions, and community advocates, IAS 2025 will foster inclusive, African-led development of the clinical trials sector through local engagement and empowered through global partnerships.
Impact Africa Summit 2025 presents a launch pad for all clinical trial stakeholders; regulatory, healthcare organizations, pharmaceutical bodies, medical/clinical practitioners, trial sponsors and experts to engage in shaping policies, building designs and systems that deliver transformational healthcare solutions for Africa.
The summit will also focus on Sub-Sahara’s position on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation.
The IAS 2025 will bring together world-class minds to drive actionable change. Confirmed speakers and thought leaders include: Prof Christian Happi: Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics, and Director of Institute of Genomics and Global Health, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Nigeria, Dr. Wale Atoyebi: Consultant Haematologist, Oxford University Hospital, Eleanor Lisbon, MD, MPH: President & Principal Consultant, LisBio Research, LLC, Global Drug Development Leader | Sickle Cell Disease Expertise | Phase I–3 Strategist and Prof. Ademola A. Oremosu: Professor, Department of Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Lagos.
Others are Estelle Dogbo: Co-founder & CEO, BioVana Research and Fidele NTIE-KANG (PhD, MRSC): Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Head of the University of Buea Center for Drug Discovery (UB-CeDD), Faculty of Science, University of Buea.
According to the organisers, the Core Pillars of IAS 2025 will include Integrating African Voices as the summit advocates for African researchers, institutions, and communities to lead the design, execution, and decision-making processes of clinical trials—ensuring patient needs guide ethics and policies.
The summit will also strengthen capacity with sessions that will focus on smart investment in resilient infrastructure, including standard laboratories, robust data systems, and trial sites that meet global standards, alongside focused talent development and retention programs.
Through local engagement, the summit will explore methods to build trust, inclusion, and cultural respect in research through open, honest dialogue, ensuring communities and patients are seen as contributors rather than merely study subjects.
The summit will adopt global partnerships for equity model as discussions will move away from outdated donor-recipient models toward bi-directional collaborations that strengthen local leadership and influence global policy and investment for lasting value.
The summit will feature two full days of programming, including panel discussions, standalone topics, and several breakout rooms dedicated to defining collaborative ways between local and global stakeholders.
