“Thriving Through Change: Pharma Partnerships in Africa’s Future,” hosted by Black Pharma, was a timely and transformational conversation about the future of clinical research in Africa. With some of the top minds from Xcene Research sharing practical insights, the webinar became more than an event; it became a roadmap.
Across every exchange, one theme rang true: Africa is not waiting for inclusion; it is building capacity, leading trials, and engineering a future rooted in local expertise and global relevance.
Building Clinical Research from the Ground Up
When it comes to infrastructure, the conversation was quick to correct an outdated narrative: Africa isn’t just catching up, it is building something original and resilient.
“With several clinical trial sites in Nigeria alone not including the sites we have in other sub-Saharan African countries, Xcene Research has proven that excellence in clinical trials doesn’t require outsourcing. It requires intention, partnership, and an investment in people.” – (Morenikeji Aina-Badejo, Business Development Executive, Xcene Research)
It is not just about ticking protocol boxes, but about cultivating world-class clinical sites through hands-on training that emphasizes safety, precision, and cultural competence. At Xcene, infrastructure means people, process, and purpose, not just buildings and timelines.
Human Capital: Africa’s Unmatched Strength
If infrastructure sets the stage, then talent drives the action. The discussion highlighted what many in African health innovation have known all along: Africa’s greatest asset is its people.
In a world where Africa continues to be underrepresented in global trials, the exclusion is more than inconvenient. By conducting research with indigenous ethnic groups, not only do we generate more relevant data, but we also build scientific credibility where it matters most.
“Xcene research has unarguably the largest pool of clinical research professionals under one umbrella in Nigeria.” – Joseph Onyeanu (Senior CRA, Xcene Research)
Xcene Research’s in-house talent pool is one of the most robust in Africa. This is not just proof of readiness; it is proof of leadership.
From Dependency to Discovery: Reclaiming Africa’s Pharma Future
The conversation pivoted naturally to one of the continent’s most urgent dilemmas: the overwhelming reliance on imported pharmaceuticals.
Africa needs more clinical research to stop the proliferation of counterfeit drugs, reduce costs, and limit our over-reliance on imports.” – Joseph Onyeanu (Senior CRA, Xcene Research)
This dependency does more than drive up costs; it fuels counterfeit drug markets and delays access to life-saving treatments. To break this cycle, the team spotlighted bold steps being taken, such as the Xcene Laboratories and Diagnostics Centre, a facility equipped for genomics, assay development, biobanking, and more.
Digital tools are also stepping in: a new recruitment app is helping diversify and expand the patient pool, while community engagement campaigns, led in partnership with advocacy groups, ensure no voice is left out of the conversation. These aren’t just tools; they are building blocks of self-sustaining research ecosystems.
“IAS has built capacity beyond outsourcing for lab and other services to initiatives for sample management like the Xcene Laboratories and Diagnostics Centre.”- {Uche Nwaoha, CTA Lead Xcene Research}
Navigating Regulation with a Unified Voice
But infrastructure and talent can only go so far without smart governance. Regulatory bottlenecks, especially those created by fragmented ethical review boards and inconsistent timelines, remain a well-known challenge.
What stood out in this discussion was the emphasis on collaborative reform. Thanks to the frameworks championed by the Impact Africa Summit, stakeholders are increasingly aligned in their goal to streamline regulatory processes, not by cutting corners, but by building consensus. This would result in less red tape, faster trial starts, and deeper trust with communities and regulators alike.
“Thanks to collaborations fostered at the Impact Africa Summit, we have pioneered streamlined regulatory pathways, cutting red tape without compromising safety.”- {Dakup Fwenshinem, Regulatory Lead Xcene Research}
The move toward harmonized African regulation isn’t just aspirational; it is already underway.
The Impact Africa Summit: From Talk to Transformation
It became increasingly clear that the Impact Africa Summit (IAS) is more than a conference; it is a platform for executing bold ideas in clinical research and healthcare innovation.
Through its programs, IAS has helped Xcene Research and others secure trial partnerships, elevate executional capacity, and bring stakeholders together in meaningful ways. From bidding for complex multi-site studies to streamlining local operations, IAS has earned its place as a driver of health innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa.
And what makes it especially powerful? Its grounding in African realities, not external templates.
The Future Is Collaborative
The conversation with Black Pharma reaffirmed a critical truth: Africa’s future in clinical research will be driven by partnerships, purpose, and home-grown innovation. Organizations like Xcene Research and convenings like the Impact Africa Summit are showing the world what’s possible in Africa.
As we look ahead, one thing is clear Africa is not waiting for change; it is engineering it.
Ready to be part of the change?
Are you a pharmaceutical company, research institution, or healthcare advocate? There is a role you can play:
- Pharma Companies: Leverage Xcene Research’s network of trial sites and its rich talent pool of local expertise to conduct your trials in Africa.
- Research Institutions: Partner with IAS and Xcene to build local capacity and streamline regulatory steps.
- Healthcare Professionals & Advocates: Volunteer, refer patients, or support community outreach to boost participation in African-led trials.
Connect with us and learn how you can contribute to Africa’s clinical research renaissance:
Follow Xcene Research on LinkedIn
Sign up to volunteer or refer through XPrecruiter
Join the movement at Impact Africa Summit
