Africa launches continental genomics advisory group to guide public-health innovation
Africa CDC unveiled the African Strategic Advisory Group on Genomics (ASAG), an eight-member, independent panel tasked with providing strategic guidance on governance, standards, ethics, data governance, and capacity building for genomics across Africa. The group aims to democratize access to genomics, strengthen outbreak surveillance and precision public health, encourage local manufacturing of countermeasures, and ensure African leadership and equitable benefit-sharing. ASAG’s chair is Prof. Christian Happi and co-chair Prof. Ghada El-Kamah, with Africa CDC retaining decision-making and prioritization while ASAG offers non-binding recommendations to advance Africa Health Security and Sovereignty.