The award comes at a critical time for the region, which is facing another Ebola outbreak. In recent years, Central Africa has faced repeated outbreaks of Ebola, Marburg, mpox and cholera, together with the long-lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These emergencies have shown the urgent gaps in health systems, including limited laboratory infrastructure, shortages of trained health professionals, weak cross-border coordination, and insufficient capacity to detect and respond quickly to emergency threats.

Building on more than 15 years of EDCTP-supported networks, including the Central Africa Clinical Research Network (CANTAM), PANDORA-ID-NET and the Central African Training Platform for Clinical Research (CATCR), the consortium will unite and expand these efforts. The project aims to strengthen clinical research expertise, improve laboratory and digital infrastructure, support training and mentoring, and accelerate the development of locally adapted solutions.

A core feature of the project is its One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. PRESERVE will integrate this perspective across research, surveillance and response systems to help countries better prevent, detect and manage threats caused by infectious diseases in the region.

The project will focus on priority health challenges in Central Africa, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, arboviruses, and re-emerging infections. It will also work to strengthen the region’s National Public Health Laboratories, improving access to rapid diagnostics, helping authorities respond earlier and more effectively during outbreaks, and supporting the evaluation of novel vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutic interventions.

PRESERVE is coordinated by the EDCTP Association with the Fondation Congolaise pour la Recherche Médicale as the Scientific Lead, and brings together partners from the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, and Zambia, as well as partners from European institutions in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The consortium comprises partners with broad scientific expertise and extensive geographic reach.

PRESERVE will collaborate with key regional and global health organisations, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO-AFRO), the Organization of Coordination for the Control of Endemic Diseases in Central Africa (OCEAC) and The Global Health Network, as well as global funders such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Gates Foundation, to accelerate the translation of research into public health action and policy.

The recurring health crises affecting the African continent clearly demonstrate the importance of resilient scientific networks capable of anticipating, detecting, and responding rapidly to emerging threats. PRESERVE represents a major step toward reinforcing regional scientific leadership, health security, and sustainable research capacity in Central Africa.

Background

The EDCTP Association acts as the Coordinator of several projects under Global Health EDCTP3 actions that use lump sum funding. As Coordinator, the Association is responsible for facilitating communication between the consortium and Global Health EDCTP3, financial administration by ensuring prompt distribution of payments to beneficiaries, submitting required reports and deliverables, and overseeing  effective project management with the Scientific Project Leader.

The PRESERVE project is supported by Global Health EDCTP3 and its members (Grant agreement ID: 101248885).