Africa Task Force on Brain Health

DAC launched the Africa Task Force on Brain Health to accelerate brain health innovation across the continent. Led by Africans and driven by a bold, actionable roadmap, the initiative is advancing solutions that improve health, strengthen communities, and power economic resilience. With the opportunity to leapfrog outdated models, Africa is not just participating in the future of brain health—it’s setting a new global standard through inclusive, scalable, and sustainable strategies.

Read more about our work in Nature Medicine

Strengthening Africa’s Brain Health and Economic Resilience

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Why Africa

Africa is at a critical inflection point. With a population of over 1.3 billion and a median age of just 19, the continent is both the youngest and one of the most rapidly aging regions in the world. At the same time, Africa holds unmatched scientific and cultural diversity. Its populations are the most genetically diverse in the world—offering unique insights into biology, resilience, and aging. Yet African communities account for less than 1% of global brain health research, leaving critical gaps in data, policy, and care.

Nature Conference: The Future of Dementia in Africa: Advancing Global Partnerships – Mie Rizig

Nature Conference: The Future of Dementia in Africa: Advancing Global Partnerships – Zul Merali

Why Now

Rising Alzheimer’s cases, limited infrastructure, and widening policy gaps make Africa’s brain health landscape both a global challenge and a historic opportunity. By acting now, Africa can leapfrog traditional models—developing scalable, culturally relevant systems that support brain health across the life course, from maternal health and childhood development to midlife prevention and healthy aging.

The cost of inaction is high; the window to act is now. At DAC, we believe solving Alzheimer’s means transforming systems—not just delivering treatments. That’s why we’re making a strategic bet on Africa—where the need is greatest and the potential for innovation is highest.

Nature Conference: The Future of Dementia in Africa: Advancing Global Partnerships–George Vradenburg

Nature Porfolio’s First conference in Africa

This strategic effort was born out of a landmark conference in 2024, when DAC and the Brain & Mind Institute at Aga Khan University co-hosted Nature Portfolio’s first-ever conference on the continent. Held in Nairobi, Kenya, the event convened more than 250 researchers, policymakers, and advocates from across Africa and the globe.

The momentum from that gathering catalyzed the formation of the Task Force and the creation of the 6×5 Plan—a roadmap designed to turn vision into measurable, lasting impact for Africa and the world.

The Future of Dementia in Africa: Advancing Global Partnerships

Working Groups

1. Enhancing Brain Health Advocacy and Health Literacy

Transform public understanding of brain health across Africa through culturally grounded advocacy, non-stigmatizing language, and integrated health literacy campaigns that reach diverse communities and align with existing NCD efforts.
2. Brain Economy for Economic Growth

Position brain health as a pillar of sustainable development by linking it to economic growth, workforce productivity, and social well-being through culturally grounded, lifespan-based strategies.
3. Repurposing Existing Resources Across the Continent

Leverage underutilized infrastructure, frontline and traditional health workers, and Africa’s strengths in disease response, social networks, and biodiversity to scale brain health through primary care and deliver sustainable, locally driven impact.
4. Breaking Down Silos of People and Data Across Africa

Build a unified, Pan-African research and data ecosystem to break down silos, improve data sharing, and enable evidence-based brain health policies and innovation across the continent.
5. Data.Digital.AI

Harness Africa’s digital transformation to scale inclusive, culturally adapted, and AI-driven brain health technologies that improve early detection, monitoring, and prevention across diverse communities.
6. Strengthening Funding for the African Brain Health Agenda

Mobilize sustainable funding for brain health by aligning with existing health priorities, leveraging philanthropic and private sector investment, and positioning brain health as a strategic driver of economic development across Africa.