Future Africa hosts new Lancet Countdown Africa Centre for Climate-Health research
Future Africa at the University of Pretoria (UP) is the new home of the Lancet Countdown Africa Regional Centre. Officially launched on 22 April 2025 by the global Lancet Countdown initiative, the Centre marks a significant step forward in strengthening Africa’s leadership in global climate-health science and policy.
The Centre forms part of the global Lancet Countdown network, which includes nearly 300 experts from academia and UN agencies. It will serve as Africa’s regional hub, generating locally led, policy-relevant evidence on the health impacts of climate change. It will also support data generation, foster collaboration, and ensure African expertise helps shape international climate-health responses.
Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi has been appointed Director of the Centre. He is a Professor of Climate Change, Food Systems, and Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and also holds the position of Extraordinary Professor in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at UP.
Reflecting on the new Centre, Professor Mabhaudhi said:
“I’m thrilled to join the Lancet Countdown as Director of the Africa Centre at such a pivotal moment. As the climate crisis intensifies, Africa stands at a unique crossroads—on the sharp end of experiencing the health impacts of climate change, yet rich with potential for resilient, health-centred solutions. I’m excited to collaborate with researchers across the continent to generate regionally grounded insights, amplify African leadership in climate-health research, and help shape bold, equitable responses. This is a crucial time to ensure Africa’s voice and experiences guide global climate-health discourse—and I’m delighted to be part of that journey.” (As published in the Lancet Countdown announcement, 22 April 2025)
Professor Wanda Markotter, Interim Director of Future Africa, welcomed the announcement:
“We are honoured to host the Lancet Countdown Africa Centre as part of our expanding portfolio of Africa-based international initiatives advancing transformative research in and for the continent. We value our continued partnership with Professor Mabhaudhi, whose leadership has been integral to our shared commitment to African-led science.”
The Centre joins a growing number of international initiatives that have partnered with the University of Pretoria, through Future Africa, to lead their work on the continent. These include the Transformative Innovation Africa Hub, the Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre, and the African Regional Chapter of the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA), among others.
Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi, Director of the Lancet Countdown Africa Regional Centre
