Innovation Science and Technology for Action and Learning in Africa Building a Sustainable Ecosystem for Fundamental Research and Innovation in Rwanda INSTAL Africa (Innovation Science and Technology for Action and Learning in Africa) is a flagship national initiative designed to build a sustainable, world-class biomedical research ecosystem in Rwanda. Launched in October 2023, it is led by the Foresight Institute of Research and Translation (FIRAT-Rwanda) and is implemented in technical partnership with DrosAfrica-UK. It is carried out in collaboration with key Rwandan institutions, including the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), University of Rwanda (UR), University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA), and the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA). Unlike short-term research projects, INSTAL Africa is a nation-building science infrastructure program — strategically engineered to ensure that Rwanda no longer depends on foreign discoveries for medical innovation, drug development, and vaccine technology. Its mission is to train 200 highly skilled fundamental research scientists over five years, while simultaneously building laboratories, translational pipelines, regulatory preparedness, and youth-based talent acceleration. This is not just a training program — it is the foundation of a national biomedical innovation economy, aligned with Vision 2050, National Strategy for Transformation, and the African Union Agenda 2063. Rwanda is making strategic investments in vaccine manufacturing and pharmaceutical production. However, long-term self-reliance is impossible without a strong base of homegrown fundamental research. At present, most breakthrough medical discoveries still originate abroad — resulting in continued dependency, high import costs, and limited local innovation value capture. The critical national gap is not infrastructure — it is human scientific capital. Rwanda needs a large, technically excellent pool of discovery-stage researchers capable of generating original knowledge, not just adopting or implementing external findings. INSTAL Africa leverages Drosophila melanogaster as a highly effective biomedical research model. This approach enables rapid, low-cost scientific discovery across fields such as: By equipping local scientists with Drosophila-based research skills, INSTAL Africa will establish a foundation for world-class biomedical research tailored to Rwanda's healthcare priorities. INSTAL Africa is driven by a strong national and international partnership FIRAT is the coordinating lead institution that conceptualized INSTAL Africa. It ensures strategic alignment with Rwanda's Vision 2050 and National Strategy for Transformation, bringing together all stakeholders and managing long‑term strategy. An international organization advancing biomedical research in Africa through the Drosophila model. DrosAfrica provides deep technical expertise, training programs, and has donated a large collection of laboratory equipment to Rwanda. NCST is Rwanda's primary agency for research governance. Its involvement ensures fundamental research capacity is integrated into national research and innovation priorities. RBC is the nation's public health authority. It will host Rwanda's first Drosophila laboratory and ensure research translates into impactful health interventions. UR will train the next generation of Rwandan scientists by integrating Drosophila and fundamental research skills directly into its academic programs. UGHE brings global health expertise and innovative medical education approaches, contributing to the training of research-oriented healthcare professionals aligned with INSTAL Africa's mission. NIRDA bridges science and industrial application — ensuring research outputs are translated into locally manufactured health and pharma solutions. The FDA ensures safety and regulatory readiness of new biotechnologies, medicines, and innovations emerging from INSTAL Africa. Building Research Capacity Through Knowledge Exchange (2024–2025) INSTAL Africa has conducted an extensive series of high-impact webinars featuring leading global researchers, fostering awareness, knowledge transfer, and capacity building across Africa. These sessions have attracted hundreds of participants from research institutions, universities, and health organizations across the continent. 15+ high-impact webinars featuring global experts in biomedical research Formal institutional alignment with steering committee representatives from all partners Laboratory establishment — Rwanda's first Drosophila research lab approved Equipment donation from DrosAfrica ready for shipment to Rwanda International grant submissions with strong feedback and re-application encouraged Youth engagement program designed for secondary schools as talent pipeline Strategic Roadmap 2025–2029 By 2029, INSTAL Africa will have trained 200 highly skilled scientists, enabling sustainable innovation, bridging research–industry gaps, and positioning Rwanda as a regional leader in pharmaceutical and health research.INSTAL Africa
Nation-Building Science Infrastructure
Addressing the Gap
The Challenge
Our Solution
Consortium Partners
Foresight Institute of Research and Translation
FIRAT – Rwanda
DrosAfrica
United Kingdom
National Council for Science and Technology
NCST – Rwanda
Rwanda Biomedical Centre
RBC
University of Rwanda
UR – CMHS
University of Global Health Equity
UGHE
National Industrial Research and Development Agency
NIRDA
Rwanda Food and Drug Authority
Rwanda FDA
Webinar Series & Sensitization Programs
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Webinar Title & Speaker
Topic Area
Engagement
Watch
1
Capacity Building, Drosophila Research
Watch
2
Developmental Biology, Stem Cell Research
Watch
3
Vaccine Research, Global Public Health
Watch
4
Parasitology, Metabolic Health
Watch
5
Virology, Drug Discovery
Watch
6
Immunology, Infectious Diseases
Watch
7
Research Innovation, Policy
Watch
8
Genomics, Viral Outbreaks
Watch
9
Neurodegenerative Diseases, Model Organisms
Watch
10
Antimicrobial Resistance, Microbiology
Watch
Five-Year Agenda
Phase 1: Resource Mobilization and Early Action
Phase 2: Full Capacity Building and Implementation
Join the Movement
National Flagship Initiative
200
Scientists to be Trained
5
Years Program Duration
15+
Webinar Series Conducted
8
Partner Institutions
Building Research Capacity in Nigeria: Drosophila Insights
Dr. Rashidatu Abdulazeez, Royal Society Fellow & Co-founder Droso4Nigeria
656 views
53 likes
The Ageing of a Stem Cell Niche: Surprising Discoveries & Common Themes
Prof. Acaimo González-Reyes, CSIC & CABD, Sevilla, Spain
677 views
21 likes
My Vaccine Research Story: From Bush to Boardroom
Dr. Muhammed Afolabi, Associate Professor, LSHTM
873 views
61 likes
Mechanisms of Blood Glucose Regulation During Murine Trypanosomiasis
Dr. Abdul Basit A. Amin, Gulbenkian Institute, Lisbon, Portugal
296 views
21 likes
Influenza A Virus in Africa: Genome & Therapy Insights
Dr. Temitope Akhigbe Etibor, Virologist & Drug Discovery Scientist, Switzerland
325 views
21 likes
Prof. Nadine Rujeni, University of Rwanda
605 views
26 likes
The Role of Fundamental Research in Driving Innovation in Africa
Dr. Murtala Jibril, Physician-Scientist & R&D Expert, Africa CDC
94 views
14 likes
Genomic Insights into Marburg Virus in Rwanda
Prof. Leon Mutesa, Leading Geneticist, Rwanda
248 views
9 likes
From Flies to Mice: Understanding Diabetes & Parkinson's Disease
Dr. Silvia Muñoz Descalzo, ULPGC, Spain
272 views
11 likes
Why Microbes Are Winning & The Role of Fundamental Research
Dr. Wasim Sajjad, Microbiologist, NUMS Pakistan
375 views
36 likes
📊 Impact Summary: Through these webinar series, INSTAL Africa has reached over 5,000 cumulative views, engaged with hundreds of live participants, and featured world-class researchers from institutions including LSHTM, Africa CDC, University of Rwanda, CSIC Spain, and the Gulbenkian Institute. All webinars remain freely accessible on the FIRAT YouTube channel.
2025
2026–2029
