;PHOTO; Courtesy
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) will hold the inaugural Countdown to 2030 Fellowship Program Impact Dialogue Series on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, creating a platform to showcase the impact of Africa-led research in improving women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health.
Launched in 2023, the Countdown to 2030 Fellowship Program aims to “strengthen sustainable, country-led research and analytical capacity in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) across Africa,” according to APHRC.
The fellowship employs an embedded learning model that combines mentorship with applied analytical work to support national processes of monitoring, learning, and accountability.
Fellows work closely with national institutions and technical partners to strengthen the production, interpretation, and use of data for decision-making.
This includes contributing analyses to sector reviews, equity diagnostics, and policy dialogue.
As fellows advance in their work, they participate in dissemination activities such as conferences, scientific posters, manuscripts, policy briefs, and interactions with ministries.
APHRC notes that “it becomes essential to create a platform for peer learning, collective reflection, and visibility across cohorts,” which the Impact Dialogue Series seeks to provide.
The first dialogue is intended to illustrate how the fellowship strengthens local research capacity, fosters embedded research–policy linkages, and nurtures a growing community of African analysts contributing to national learning and innovation systems.
While policy engagement remains an important outcome, APHRC says the session “deliberately adopts a broader perspective on Fellowship impact, laying the foundation for future dialogues that will explore specific dimensions in greater depth.”
Through this series, APHRC hopes to highlight the value of Africa-led initiatives in generating evidence-based solutions tailored to national health priorities.
By building local research capacity and linking analysis directly to policy processes, the fellowship empowers emerging researchers to influence decisions that improve RMNCAH-N outcomes across the continent.
The Dialogue Series also underscores the importance of peer learning and visibility, providing fellows with the opportunity to reflect on progress, share experiences, and collaborate across countries.
APHRC emphasizes that these platforms are critical in fostering a community of analysts who can sustain and scale innovations in health research and policy.
The inaugural session marks a milestone in the fellowship program, signaling APHRC’s commitment to strengthening African-led analytical capacity, supporting national health systems, and promoting knowledge exchange that translates into real-world health improvements for women, children, and adolescents.
Interested participants can register for the webinar at APHRC
