By Ivyn Kipruto
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has launched a KES 516 million initiative to strengthen leadership and innovation in women’s health research across Africa.
KEMRI Director General Prof. Elijah Songok said the initiative reflects the institute’s determination to strengthen African-led scientific leadership and drive sustainable innovation in health.
“The LEA-WH Programme represents KEMRI’s continued commitment to building scientific leadership that is inclusive, innovative, and African-led,” said Prof. Songok. “By empowering scientists to lead groundbreaking research and innovation, we are investing in the future of Africa’s health and development.”
The three-year programme, known as the Leadership for Innovation and Excellence in accelerating Research on Women’s Health (LEA-WH), is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and will begin in January 2026.
The LEA-WH Programme seeks to build a new generation of African scientists and innovators capable of developing homegrown, evidence-based solutions to health challenges that disproportionately affect women. It comes at a time when women’s health issues in sub-Saharan Africa remain severely under-studied and under-funded, despite their impact on communities and development.
The programme will promote mentorship, research excellence, and entrepreneurship among emerging African scientists, with the goal of producing innovative products, supporting startups, and securing more research funding by 2033. It will also establish a continental alumni network and host an annual ScienceX Africa Summit to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.
LEA-WH Programme Director Prof. Elizabeth Anne Bukusi said the initiative will provide a platform for African researchers to shape the future of women’s health through innovation and leadership.
“Our vision is to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem where African researchers and innovators can lead in designing and implementing transformative solutions for women’s health,” said Prof. Bukusi. “This is a bold step toward a more equitable and innovative future for women’s health across the continent.”
Working in collaboration with the United States National Academy of Medicine, the programme will strengthen KEMRI’s position as a continental hub for research, innovation, and leadership development. It under scores the institute’s broader mission to advance scientific excellence, promote gender equity in research, and ensure that African-led innovation continues to drive solutions for Africa’s most pressing health challenges.
