Africa Clinical Research Network Podcast
The ACRN Podcast is your gateway to Africa-led conversations on clinical research, health innovation, and policy. Hosted by the Africa Clinical Research Network, this series brings together researchers, clinicians, regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the continent to explore how Africa is shaping—and must continue to shape—the future of global clinical research.
Each episode features expert insights from African physician-scientists and innovators, discussions on emerging health technologies, policy dialogues influencing Africa’s research ecosystem, and stories that center African leadership in global health. Our goal is to spotlight credible, African-led voices at the intersection of science, policy, and industry, and to advance collaborative, community-driven research.
Whether you’re a policymaker, regulator, researcher, funder, or anyone passionate about Africa’s role in global health, this podcast is for you. Expect honest conversations, nuanced perspectives, and a commitment to challenging assumptions—including our own.
Stay tuned for our official launch and join us as we elevate Africa’s voice in clinical research!
Episodes
9 episodes
Optimising regulation and ethics in research | ACRN Podcast EP08
Optimising Regulation and Ethics in Clinical Research: Building Faster, Smarter Trial Systems in AfricaWhat happens before the first participant is ever enrolled in a clinical trial? Behind every breakthrough treatment lies months...
Ebola Bundibugyo: Africa's Wake-Up Call for Science and Preparedness | ACRN Podcast EP06
Ebola, Diagnostics, and Africa’s Scientific Future: Dr. Tariro Makadzange on the Bundibugyo OutbreakA new Ebola outbreak in Central Africa is raising urgent questions about disease preparedness, diagnostic capacity, vaccine develo...
Clinical Trials as a Global Industry Who Benefits and How | ACRN Podcast EP05
In this episode of The ACRN Health Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Huwaida Bulhan — physician, public health expert— for a powerful conversation on “Clinical Trials as a Global Industry: Who Benefits and How?”Together, we unpack the realit...
From Trials to Industry: Building Africa’s Life Sciences Ecosystem | ACRN Podcast EP04
In this episode of the ACRN Health Podcast, host Dr Wilfred Gurupira convenes a roundtable discussion with Prof Collen Masimirembwa (AiBST) and Prof Brighton Samatanga (The Biotech Institute) to explore how Africa can transition from partic...
Why Clinical Research Matters — and Why Africa Must Be at the Table | ACRN Podcast EP03
In this special anniversary episode of the ACRN Health Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Andrew Kambugu, Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University, Uganda, for a powerful conversation on the future of clin...
Data, Sovereignty & Health Advocacy in Africa | ACRN Podcast EP02
In this episode, we explore the critical role of data in shaping stronger, more responsive health systems across Africa.From research and innovation to real-world implementation, we unpack how data is not just collected—but translated in...
Why Africa Must Lead in Clinical Research | ACRN Podcast EP1
Africa is home to nearly 20% of the world’s population and the greatest human genetic diversity on the planet, yet less than 4% of global clinical trials take place on the continent. In this inaugural episode of the ACRN Podcast, Dr. Tariro Mak...