Dr Michael Makanga was appointed as EDCTP Director of South-South Cooperation and Head of Africa Office. He is a medical and research doctor who trained from Makerere University, Uganda; Liverpool University and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in the United Kingdom. He has several years of experience working with academic and health research institutions in Africa. In his previous function as Capacity Development Manager of EDCTP he was responsible for guiding the EDCTP organisation and grantees in building research capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. His earlier work and experience proved a firm basis for taking up his current position. As the Director of South-South Cooperation and Head of Africa Office, Dr Makanga is responsible for liaising with the African political leadership, policy makers and the scientific community with the aim of ensuring genuine African ownership, commitment and stewardship of the Partnership.