Optimising Regulation and Ethics in Clinical Research: Building Faster, Smarter Trial Systems in Africa

What happens before the first participant is ever enrolled in a clinical trial? Behind every breakthrough treatment lies months of regulatory reviews, ethics approvals, contracts, site preparation, and countless behind-the-scenes processes that determine how quickly new medicines reach the people who need them.

In this episode of the ACRN Health Podcast, host Wilfred Gurupira is joined by Dr. Tariro Makadzange, CEO of the Africa Clinical Research Network (ACRN), and Knowledge Ushamba, ACRN's Regulatory Affairs Officer, to unpack the often-overlooked world of clinical trial startup.

Together, they discuss why Africa conducts only a small fraction of the world's clinical trials despite carrying a significant share of the global disease burden, and explore practical solutions to make research more efficient, predictable, and globally competitive.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  What happens between developing a research protocol and enrolling the first participant. 
•  Why ethics and regulatory approvals are essential—and why they often take longer than necessary. 
•  The challenges of navigating different regulatory systems across African countries. 
•  Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic on accelerating clinical trial approvals without compromising safety. 
•  How regulatory harmonisation initiatives, including the African Medicines Agency (AMA), could transform research across the continent. 
•  Why parallel reviews, common application systems, and stronger collaboration can dramatically reduce trial startup times. 
•  How improving research systems benefits patients by bringing innovative treatments to communities sooner. 

Whether you're a researcher, policymaker, healthcare professional, student, or simply curious about how new medicines are developed, this conversation offers valuable insight into the systems that shape the future of healthcare innovation in Africa.

🎧 Listen now and discover how stronger regulatory systems can help Africa lead the next generation of clinical research.

Ebola, Diagnostics, and Africa’s Scientific Future: Dr. Tariro Makadzange on the Bundibugyo Outbreak

A new Ebola outbreak in Central Africa is raising urgent questions about disease preparedness, diagnostic capacity, vaccine development, and Africa’s ability to respond to emerging health threats.

In this episode of the ACRN Health Podcast, Dr. Wilfred Gurupira sits down with Dr. Tariro Makadzange, CEO of the Africa Clinical Research Network, infectious disease physician, and vaccine immunologist, to unpack the science behind the current Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak and why it presents unique challenges for public health systems. 

Together, they explore:

•  Why this Ebola outbreak is different from previous outbreaks 
•  The Bundibugyo strain and why existing Ebola vaccines and therapeutics may not be effective against it 
•  How diagnostic gaps delayed outbreak detection 
•  The critical role of genomic surveillance and laboratory capacity 
•  Why Africa must invest in its own scientific and diagnostic infrastructure 
•  The challenges of developing vaccines and treatments for diseases with limited commercial incentives 
•  What this outbreak reveals about clinical research, public health preparedness, and healthcare systems across the continent 
•  How ACRN is working toward an "always-ready" clinical research ecosystem for future outbreaks 
•  Why stronger science, stronger health systems, and stronger collaboration are essential for Africa’s future 

Dr. Makadzange also shares a powerful vision for Africa’s life sciences future—one where African scientists, institutions, and innovators lead the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, and clinical research that address the continent’s most pressing health challenges. 

This is a timely conversation about infectious disease preparedness, scientific sovereignty, and the investments needed today to protect future generations.

Listen now and join the conversation on the future of clinical research and public health in Africa.

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In this episode of The ACRN Health Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Huwaida Bulhan — physician, public health expert— for a powerful conversation on “Clinical Trials as a Global Industry: Who Benefits and How?”

Together, we unpack the realities behind the global clinical trials ecosystem, a market worth more than $60 billion, and ask the difficult but necessary questions:

•  Who truly benefits from clinical research?
•  Why does Africa currently represent only 1% of the global clinical trials market?
•  What does it mean for Africa to move from being an “end user” to a full participant in healthcare innovation?
•  And what would success look like for African-led science and medicine?

Dr. Bulhan shares her deeply personal journey from working in underserved healthcare settings in Kenya to leadership roles in global clinical research, while exploring the future of African participation in medicine, research, and healthcare systems.

This is a bold, thought-provoking conversation about equity, innovation, science, and Africa’s role in shaping the future of global health.

Listen now and follow The ACRN Health Podcast for more conversations at the intersection of healthcare, research, innovation, and Africa’s future.

In this episode of the ACRN Health Podcast, host Dr Wilfred Gurupira convenes a roundtable discussion with Prof Collen Masimirembwa (AiBST) and Prof Brighton Samatanga (The Biotech Institute) to explore how Africa can transition from participating in clinical trials to building a sustainable, homegrown life sciences industry.

The conversation examines the structural, scientific, and economic foundations required to build a thriving ecosystem, including:

• Clinical research as a foundation for industry
• The gap between scientific discovery and commercialization
• Building and sustaining institutions in Africa
• Talent, risk, and the realities of building locally
• The role of partnerships and ecosystem thinking
• Africa’s competitiveness in the global life sciences landscape
• The economic potential of investing in life sciences

Grounded in practical experience and candid reflection, this discussion offers a strategic perspective on what it will take to build Africa’s life sciences future from within.

In this special anniversary episode of the ACRN Health Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Andrew Kambugu, Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University, Uganda, for a powerful conversation on the future of clinical research in Africa.

Drawing from over two decades of experience, Dr. Kambugu unpacks why clinical research is not just important—but essential—for Africa’s development. He shares real-world examples of how African-led research has transformed patient outcomes, and why the continent must move from being a participant to a leader in setting its own research agenda.

The discussion explores what it takes to build sustainable research institutions, develop and retain talent, and overcome challenges such as brain drain and fragmented systems. At the core of it all is a clear message: Africa must invest in its people, strengthen its institutions, and collaborate more effectively across borders.

Looking ahead, Dr. Kambugu highlights reasons for optimism—from Africa’s growing population and dynamic young scientists to the continent’s ability to leapfrog through innovation, technology, and data science.

This episode is both insightful and inspiring—a call to action for Africa to take ownership of its research future.

In this episode, we explore the critical role of data in shaping stronger, more responsive health systems across Africa.

From research and innovation to real-world implementation, we unpack how data is not just collected—but translated into decisions that impact communities, policies, and outcomes. We also reflect on the challenges of data access, equity, and representation, and what it will take to build systems that truly serve African populations.

This conversation highlights the growing importance of African-led research and the need to invest in solutions that are locally driven, evidence-based, and scalable.

Whether you're a health professional, researcher, policymaker, or simply interested in the future of health in Africa, this episode offers valuable insights into how data can drive meaningful change.

Africa is home to nearly 20% of the world’s population and the greatest human genetic diversity on the planet, yet less than 4% of global clinical trials take place on the continent. In this inaugural episode of the ACRN Podcast, Dr. Tariro Makadzange (ACRN CEO) and Dr Wilfred Gurupira (ACRN Site Networks & Partnerships Lead) explore why clinical research is the foundation of modern medicine—and why Africa’s inclusion is not just a moral imperative, but a scientific and strategic necessity.

Join us as we discuss:

The impact of clinical research on health systems and patient care
How Africa’s unique context and diversity can drive better science for everyone
The risks of excluding Africa from global evidence generation
The vision for African-led research, data ownership, and partnership in the life sciences ecosystem


This episode sets the stage for honest, Afrocentric conversations about science, policy, and innovation—ensuring Africa is not just at the table, but helping to shape the future of global health.