KEMRI Joins Initiative to Strengthen Africa’s Next Generation of Malaria Research Leaders

By Stella Njung’e

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has officially joined the inaugural Excell Malaria Programme, a new collaboration with the African Research Excellence Fund (AREF) aimed at strengthening malaria research capacity and developing the next generation of African scientific leaders. The partnership was launched during a week-long inception meeting that brought together researchers, institutional leaders, and programme partners.

The two-year programme comes at a time when malaria continues to pose one of the greatest public health challenges across sub-Saharan Africa. While significant progress has been made in malaria prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control, the disease continues to affect children under five and pregnant women. Sustaining progress towards elimination requires not only effective interventions but also strong, African-led research and innovation.

The Excell Malaria Programme brings together four institutions in Africa. The Programme seeks to build research excellence by investing at three levels: strengthening institutional research environments, empowering experienced research leaders, and developing talented early- and mid-career researchers. Through this approach, the programme aims to create an ecosystem where African scientists can generate high-quality, locally relevant evidence to inform policy and accelerate malaria elimination efforts.

At KEMRI, the programme is led by Dr. Damaris Matoke, who serves as the Institutional Lead, providing strategic oversight and mentorship to the Institute’s participating researchers. The KEMRI fellowship cohort comprises Dr. Paul Gichuki, Dr. Benard Abong’o, Dr. Noah Michuki, Dr. Juliet, and Dr. Caroline Wanjiku, all of whom will participate in leadership development, research mentorship, scientific networking, and collaborative learning throughout the programme.

Speaking during the programme’s launch, Dr. Damaris Matoke described the initiative as an opportunity for both researchers and the institutions present.

“The Excell Malaria Programme is more than a capacity-strengthening initiative; it is an investment in Africa’s scientific future. By equipping emerging researchers with the skills, mentorship, and networks they need to excel, we are building a pipeline of leaders who will generate evidence that directly informs malaria policy and improves health outcomes across the continent.”

Representing the Acting Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer KEMRI, Dr. Rose Bosire reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to developing world-class researchers capable of addressing Africa’s most pressing health challenges.

“KEMRI is proud to be part of this important collaboration with AREF. Strengthening research leadership and institutional capacity is central to our vision of advancing African-led science. We believe programmes such as Excell Malaria will empower our scientists to deliver innovative solutions that improve lives and contribute meaningfully to malaria elimination.”

The programme provides participants with leadership and professional development training, research mentorship and coaching, peer-learning opportunities, capacity-strengthening workshops, and exposure to collaborative research networks. These experiences are expected to strengthen both scientific excellence and leadership capacity while fostering long-term institutional growth.

Speaking at the event AREF, Chief Executive Officer Prof. Akhere Omonkhua emphasized the importance of investing in African researchers to drive sustainable health solutions.

“Africa has great scientific talent. Our role is to ensure that talented researchers have access to the mentorship, leadership development, and supportive research environments needed to realise their full potential. Through the Excell Malaria Programme, we are investing in people and institutions that will shape the future of malaria research and ultimately improve health across the continent.”

Beyond individual development, the programme aims to strengthen institutional research systems by promoting effective mentorship, scientific excellence, and collaboration among malaria researchers across Africa. These efforts are expected to enhance research productivity, expand regional partnerships, and improve the translation of research evidence into policy and practice.

KEMRI’s participation in the Excell Malaria Programme reinforces the Institute’s commitment to advancing African-led health research and building sustainable research capacity. By investing in researchers and strengthening institutions, the programme is positioning Africa to lead the discovery of innovative solutions that will contribute significantly to malaria control and, ultimately, elimination.

As the continent continues to confront evolving malaria challenges, initiatives such as the Excell Malaria Programme demonstrate that empowering African scientists and institutions remains essential to securing a healthier, malaria-free future.

Also present at the inception meeting was Ag. Director Research and Development represented by Dr. Samoel Khamadi and AREF Board Chair Prof. Tumani Corrah.