Study finds Africa largely absent from global clinical trials
Updated
Updated · The Conversation · May 3
Study finds Africa largely absent from global clinical trials
6 articles · Updated · The Conversation · May 3
Reviewing 2,472 randomised controlled trials from 2019-2024, researchers found just 3.9% were conducted exclusively in Africa and only two cardiology trials, or 0.6%, were solely African.
The study says this weakens the applicability of evidence used to treat African patients, especially as genetics, diet and environment can alter drug responses and some medicines carry higher risks in Black populations.
Most Africa-only trials targeted infectious diseases, though non-communicable diseases are rising; South Africa hosted over 62% of the continent's trials, while African scientists led only 3.6% of multicontinental studies including African sites.
With NCDs surging across Africa, why is crucial cardiovascular research for its populations being systematically ignored and even defunded?
As Western funding for African health research falters, can the continent's new scientific alliances forge a self-reliant medical future?
Africa's Clinical Trials Market Set to Nearly Double by 2034 Amid Persistent Underrepresentation
Overview
Africa's clinical research sector is rapidly expanding, with the MEA clinical trials market projected to nearly double by 2034, driven by major pharmaceutical companies establishing local operations, rich patient populations, genetic diversity, and improving regulatory harmonization through bodies like the African Medicines Agency. Despite this growth, Africa remains underrepresented globally, hosting only about 1.1% of clinical trials due to structural challenges such as reliance on unstable international funding, insufficient domestic R&D investment, fragmented infrastructure, and leadership disparities. Addressing these barriers alongside leveraging Africa's unique strengths is essential to transform the continent into a leading, self-sufficient hub for equitable and impactful global health research.