Margo Warren to attend AHRIFF 2026

Margo Warren, Director of Government Engagement & Policy at the Access to Medicine Foundation, will attend the sixth African Health Research and Innovation Funders Forum (AHRIFF). The Forum will bring together more than 80 stakeholders, including representatives from grant-making institutions, philanthropic organisations, African government and public funding agencies, financial institutions and other global health stakeholders.

On the second day of the event, the session ‘Beyond grants and good intentions,’ will explore how Africa can build sustainable infrastructure to support and scale clinical research across the continent.

Clinical trials are an important aspect of the effort to achieve global health equity, as pharmaceutical companies often prioritise market access in countries where trials are conducted. Africa, home to a fifth of the world’s population, still hosts a disproportionately low fraction of clinical trials for new medicines.

Following a fireside debate examining the current state of clinical research infrastructure in Africa, a panel discussion will focus on the next steps forward, exploring the key stakeholders and partnerships necessary to sustainably increase clinical research activity in African countries for the long-term.

During the session, Margo will speak alongside:

• Boitumelo Mokgatla, Clinical Trial Lead, Africa Medicines Agency

• Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, CEO, South African Health Products Regulatory Authority

• Dr Tariro Makadzange, CEO, African Clinical Research Network

• Shingai Machingaidze, Head of Africa Strategy and Engagement, CEP

About AHRIFF

AHRIFF is convened by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)  in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, Science for Africa Foundation (SFA), Wellcome, Virgin Unite, Africa CDC and other organisations with the goal of forwarding Africa’s health and research innovation landscape.