The Addis Continental Institute of Public Health (ACIPH), in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Sweden (PHAS), hosted a five-day pilot training workshop on Strengthening Research and Analytical Capacity in Public Health Institutes from October 26–30, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The workshop was organized as an initial step toward developing a regional research capacity-building initiative to strengthen research capabilities within National Public Health Institutes across Africa.
The workshop brought together 26 participants, including three representatives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and representatives from National Public Health Institutes in 11 African countries: Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Chad, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Liberia, and Nigeria. The diverse participation provided an opportunity for researchers and public health professionals from across the region to exchange experiences, share institutional perspectives, and explore common research capacity challenges.
The workshop aimed to strengthen institutional capacity in qualitative and quantitative research methods and foster sustainable research environments within public health institutes across sub-Saharan Africa. Over five days, participants engaged in sessions covering research foundations, research design and sampling, research ethics, data analysis, and scientific writing and publication. The sessions were facilitated by Prof. Yemane Berhane, Prof. Alemayehu Worku, and other experts. Interactive discussions, group exercises, and participant presentations provided opportunities to apply research concepts, share experiences, and strengthen practical skills.
Beyond technical learning, the workshop served as a platform for regional knowledge exchange, professional networking, and collaboration among researchers and public health institutions. Discussions and group activities encouraged participants to reflect on institutional research priorities, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening research and analytical capacity within their respective institutions.
As a pilot initiative, the workshop represents an important step toward fostering stronger and more sustainable research environments within National Public Health Institutes across Africa. The experiences and lessons from this workshop will help inform future capacity-building efforts and support greater collaboration among institutions, with the broader goal of strengthening evidence generation to address public health priorities and improve health outcomes across the continent.
