SOFAR partners shine at the twelfth EDCTP forum

We are thrilled to share that Southern Africa Research Capacity Network (SOFAR) partners from ZAMBART and BIiomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) – were among the distinguished recipients of the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) 2025 Prizes, awarded at the twelfth EDCTP forum held in Kigali Rwanda

These prestigious awards recognise individuals and institutions making outstanding contributions to health research in sub-Saharan Africa. This year, SOFAR partners were recognised across multiple categories:

• Outstanding Research Team Prize – Dr. Kwame Shanaube and the ZAMBART team

  Honoured for their high-impact research on TB and HIV, and their leadership in implementing innovative, community-based health solutions in Zambia.

• Outstanding Female Scientist Prize – Professor Rashida Ferrand, BRTI

  Recognised for her groundbreaking work on adolescent health and HIV, and for mentoring the next generation of African scientists.

• Scientific Leadership Prize for a European Woman – Professor. Katharina Kranzer --BRTI

  Celebrated for her longstanding collaborative work across Africa, including leadership within the SOFAR programme, and her commitment to strengthening diagnostic research and capacity building.

These awards are not only a testament to individual excellence but also to the power of long-term, equitable partnerships. We are incredibly proud to see SOFAR researchers leading the way in addressing health challenges through science, innovation, and collaboration.

Congratulations to all three winners—and to the teams that support and inspire them every day!