Strengthening microbial genomics capacity in Africa for epidemic preparedness: key lessons from the AFROSCREEN programme

The AFROSCREEN initiative, implemented in 13 countries, has strengthened regional genomic surveillance through investments in sequencing infrastructure, workforce training, and cross-country coordination, evolving from a SARS-CoV-2-focused effort into a multi pathogen platform. By building local capacity, AFROSCREEN reduced dependence on external laboratories, helped close critical surveillance gaps, and generated genomic data that could inform mitigation of national health risks. However, persistent structural challenges related to inequity, including procurement delays, limited bioinformatics autonomy, reliance on short term funding, high staff turnover, and weak integration of genomic data into national decision making, continue to constrain its full potential, underscoring the need to embed genomics within national systems to advance genomic sovereignty and preparedness for future epidemics.