Lancet Countdown Africa Regional Centre sets strategic direction

The first Lancet Countdown Africa Regional Centre Strategic Workshop was held on 15 and 19 June 2026 at the University of Ghana Medical Training & Simulation Centre, Accra, Ghana. The workshop brought together the Regional Centre Secretariat, Working Group Leads, Co-Leads, and Fellows from across Africa to establish a shared scientific and strategic direction for the Centre.

The two-day workshop focused on strengthening the evidence base on climate change and health in Africa, with each of the five Working Groups discussing priority areas, Africa-specific indicators, data availability and opportunities for collaboration. A key outcome was agreement that the inaugural 2027 Africa Regional Report should focus on a manageable set of high-priority indicators while laying the foundation for future indicator development and improved African data systems.

The workshop also explored how the Centre can translate research into meaningful policy and public impact through its Theory of Change, stakeholder engagement, science communication and strategic partnerships. Participants identified priorities for expanding Working Group membership, supporting early-career researchers, strengthening research and technical capacity, developing stakeholder and media networks, and building collaborations with governments, research institutions, professional bodies and civil society.

Discussions on funding and sustainability highlighted the need for collaborative grant applications, strategic concept notes and stronger alignment with regional climate and health funding initiatives.

Overall, the workshop established a practical roadmap for positioning the Lancet Countdown Africa Regional Centre as an Africa-led platform for generating policy-relevant evidence, strengthening collaboration and advancing action on climate change and health across the continent.