Rethinking Public Health Funding and Leadership

Insights from Africa in the World 2025

text: Maambele Khosa photos: Stefan Els and Africa in the World

The Africa in the World Festival, held from 22 to 25 October 2025 in Stellenbosch, South Africa, brought together some of the continent’s most innovative thinkers, policy leaders, and changemakers to explore solutions that can drive meaningful progress across Africa. Founded by Dele Olojede, the festival aims to create “a space of hearts and minds,” where rigorous ideas meet deep reflection to spark sustainable change. Olojede remind us that “Africa exists in the world. Africa is not one colour. Africa is not even one place.” This spirit of diversity and unity framed the week’s discussions, spanning digital innovation, health equity, governance, education, and the arts.

“What Now? With the US in Retreat”: A Conversation on Public Health Funding

A deeply relevant panel discussion took place at Spier Wine Farm at 9:30 AM on 23 October, exploring the question: “What now? With the US in retreat, new thinking around funding public health.” The session, moderated by Prof. Tulio de Oliveira, Director of the

Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), featured Prof. Ntobeko Ntusi, President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and Prof. Novel N. Chegou, immunologist and head of the Tuberculosis Diagnostic Biomarker Research Group at Stellenbosch University.

With the dismantling of USAID and cuts to global health funding, the panel examined what these shifts mean for Africa’s scientific and health ecosystems. Prof. Ntusi shared sobering statistics, noting that over 600 research grants and thousands of medical professionals were affected, with an estimated R1.85 billion loss in funding and a R728 million shortfall for 2025 alone.

“The repercussions are not only for the current research, but also for the next generation, we risk losing a generation of scientists without access,” said Prof. Ntusi.

He outlined how the SAMRC has raised over R2 billion to stabilise research priorities, infrastructure, and early-career support, while establishing the SAMRC Foundation to diversify income streams and strengthen long-term resilience.

Prof. Chegou echoed the urgency, highlighting how the cuts triggered both “panic and perseverance” across institutions. “This challenge is pushing us to diversify and reduce reliance on single sources of funding,” he said, noting that his team continues to apply for a record number of new grants.

He also underscored ongoing challenges for young and early-career African researchers, particularly regarding visa access to study and work in South Africa.

Beyond Funding: Building Resilient African Research Ecosystems

Moderating the discussion, Prof. de Oliveira reflected on the broader opportunity presented by this moment of crisis: “Africa is not poor, we must become key drivers of our own research ecosystem.”

He emphasised that resilience depends not only on funding diversification but also on reimagining African research institutions as sustainable enterprises through innovation, local manufacturing, and value creation. Citing initiatives such as LaunchLab CERI-Bio and partnerships linking research to ISO-accredited laboratories, he highlighted models generating both scientific and economic returns.

The panel also explored pathways for scientific sovereignty, from building local vaccine manufacturing capacity and protecting intellectual property to simplifying visa processes and fostering collaboration across African borders.

“African researchers have long slept on borrowed mats, we must create value for our own science and industry,” one audience member noted, encapsulating the mood in the room.

The discussion closed with a shared call for African-led collaboration across governments, private sectors, and academia to build a science ecosystem capable of sustaining itself amid global uncertainty.

New Ways of Leading: Keynote by Dr David Moinina Sengeh

Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister and Chief Innovation Officer of the Government of Sierra

Leone delivered a keynote on the same evening at Stellenbosch University’s JH Mouton Building, Titled “On New Ways of Leading: Modern African Political Leadership”, Dr Sengeh drew on his experience in governance, technology, and education to emphasise the need for creativity, empathy, and inclusivity in leadership.

“We need leadership that inspires hearts and minds, one that is moral, visionary, inclusive, and deeply human. We need rekindled hope to move forward together,” he said.

The session was opened by Prof. Deresh Rajugernath, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, who welcomed attendees and shared the SU Vision 2040 of becoming an Africa-leading, research-intensive university committed to advancing knowledge in service of society, contributing to solutions for grand challenges such as climate change, food security, and inclusive education.

Dr Sengeh’s address complemented the earlier panel discussion, reminding participants that leadership, innovation, and inclusive policy are central to Africa’s future, whether in science, governance, or social development.Through the panel and keynote, the Africa in the World Festival 2025 reinforced its mission: uniting Africa’s thinkers and doers to craft actionable, lasting solutions, and to empower the next generation of scientists, leaders, and innovators.