In 2016, EDCTP awarded funding to four regional Networks of Excellence, to strengthen South–South and South–North collaboration. The key aims of the Networks were to enhance clinical research capacity, for example through coordinated development of research infrastructure, as well as training and mentoring of researchers. Each Network linked together existing centres of excellence but also weaker institutions in the same countries and others with less developed health research systems in the respective sub-regions.

Collectively, the four Networks of Excellence – the Central African Clinical Research Network (CANTAM2), the East African Consortium for Clinical Research (EACCR2), Trials of Excellence in Southern Africa (TESA2) and the West African Network for TB, AIDS and Malaria (WANETAM) – involve 42 institutions in 25 African countries. Complementarities between sites in each Network can ensure that they are more than the sum of their parts, and offer an attractive platform for multicentre clinical studies.

The independent mid-term evaluation of the Networks in 2019 highlighted a number of successes. The Networks have provided an excellent platform to support training and professional development, through fellowships, PhD, master’s and short-term training. Multiple research facilities have been upgraded, including in countries with relatively underdeveloped health systems. Baseline studies have been carried to support future trials, and some progress has been made in development of joint projects, for example the EXIT-TB project, which is promoting the uptake of a range of approaches to improve identification of TB cases.

Networks have made active efforts to engage with local policymakers to encourage take up of research findings. They have also established links with other research networks in sub-Saharan Africa, including the EDCTP-funded ALERRT and PANDORA-ID-NET epidemic preparedness networks.

The evaluation panel noted that it takes time to develop effective systems and relationships, and Networks are at an early stage of their development. There were opportunities to build on the foundation established, to develop more extensive North–South collaborations, and to raise awareness of the opportunities for multicentre research studies offered by the Networks.