Abstract

Bridging the biostatistics gap in African health research: An urgent call to action

Biostatistics plays a fundamental role in advancing health research by supporting robust study design, reliable data analysis, and scientifically sound interpretation of findings. Across Africa, expanding research activities and growing institutional capacities have increased the importance of biostatistical expertise in scientific research. Over the past fifteen years, several initiatives have contributed to developing this field through postgraduate education, specialised training, and international research collaboration. These efforts have generated valuable expertise and strengthened biostatistical capacity within participating institutions. However, access to statistical expertise, methodological support, and educational opportunities remains uneven across African research settings. Existing programmes differ in geographical coverage, institutional participation, and continuity, while opportunities to connect established expertise across countries remain insufficiently developed. Consequently, valuable knowledge and resources are not always accessible beyond the institutions and programmes in which they are concentrated. The biostatistics gap in African health research therefore extends beyond training opportunities to encompass disparities in access, institutional connectivity, and the distribution of methodological resources. Its significance reaches across the research process, with implications for scientific quality, reproducibility, and the effective contribution of African research to global health knowledge.