Africa Outbreak Trials Gain Funding in West Africa
Residents of outbreak-prone parts of West Africa may see clinical research launch faster as new trial sites are funded.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Diseases — General
Live Poll
Should your country spend more on preparing for future disease outbreaks?
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced up to US$8.2 million in additional funding for its West Africa partners, the International Vaccine Institute and MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, to support Africa CDC's hub-and-spoke clinical trial model. The funding was announced on 22 October 2026 at a launch event in Accra, and brings CEPI's total commitment to its Research Preparedness Program to US$28.8 million.
Why it matters
Many infectious disease outbreaks in Africa have no approved vaccines, and delays in generating clinical evidence can slow the response. The model aims to let researchers run trials faster and in a more coordinated way during epidemics and pandemics, which matters most for communities near outbreak-prone areas.
The figures are program funding commitments rather than clinical results, so no trial outcomes are reported yet. The initiative is a funding and infrastructure announcement for a clinical trial network that has not yet produced study findings.
The players
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
An international organization that funds vaccine development to prepare for epidemics and pandemics, and that funds the Research Preparedness Program.
Africa CDC
The African Union's public health agency, which developed the hub-and-spoke clinical trial model and co-convened the launch event.
International Vaccine Institute (IVI)
A research organization focused on vaccine development and infectious disease, serving as a Technical Coordinating Partner for CEPI's West Africa component.
MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM (MRCG)
A research unit working on infectious disease and public health, serving as a Technical Coordinating Partner for CEPI's West Africa component.
World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO)
The World Health Organization's regional office for Africa, which co-convened the launch event.
The details
The hub-and-spoke model connects experienced clinical trial research hubs to a wider set of spoke sites located closer to areas where outbreaks occur. The Program supports setting up and maintaining 'warm' clinical trial sites, meaning sites that already have infrastructure, trained staff and established systems, so that a trial can start quickly when an outbreak appears.
Timeline
22 October 2026: Funding announced at the Accra launch event for the Research Preparedness Program.
26 October 2026: CEPI issued its press release from Oslo.
Health Landscape
Africa CDC's hub-and-spoke clinical trial network is being implemented to build outbreak-ready evidence generation across the continent. CEPI's new funding places West Africa as the first region for this model before expansion to every region of Africa.
If you live in or travel to parts of West Africa, this network aims to bring trial access and outbreak research closer to affected communities sooner. Anyone with questions about outbreak-related health risks or research participation should talk with a local health provider.
The takeaway
Faster clinical evidence during outbreaks depends on trial sites that are already set up before a crisis hits. If you have questions about research participation or outbreak safety, a local health provider is the right first contact.
Further reading
For more on how outbreak research is organized, see the Diseases — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Africa CDC.
Live Poll
Should your country spend more on preparing for future disease outbreaks?
