The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) and the Ifakara Health Institute co-hosted the 20th CARTA Partners’ Annual Forum in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from September 22-23, 2025. 

The forum brought together CARTA’s African and non-African partners, funders, and stakeholders to reflect on the consortium's 15 years of impact and chart a bold path forward for African research and higher education.

Ifakara’s journey with CARTA

In his opening remarks, Dr. Honorati Masanja, Chief Executive Director of Ifakara, spoke about the institute’s longstanding partnership with CARTA.

“Over the past 14 years, eight of our staff members have benefited from CARTA PhD scholarships: six have successfully graduated—an equal balance of men and women—and two are on track to complete, with many more expected in the future. Beyond scholarships, CARTA has trained our staff in financial management, administration, supervision, and grant writing.”

He went on to share that with CARTA’s support, Ifakara developed a PhD Supervision & Grant Writing program and is progressing toward Good Financial and Grant Practices (GFGP) certification.

Serving as IHI’s focal person, Dr. Dickson Wilson, Principal Research Scientist, presented at the forum, elaborating on Dr. Masanja’s speech by highlighting exactly how Ifakara has benefited from CARTA’s scholarship programs and various trainings. He also emphasized the critical role of collaboration and sustainability in strengthening Africa’s research ecosystem.

A strong commitment to sustainability

Dr. Masanja also reaffirmed Ifakara’s commitment to CARTA’s sustainability, underscoring the institute’s belief in African-led investment for long-term research excellence, stating, “African research requires African institutions to lead by example and contribute their own resources.”

About CARTA

CARTA is an Africa-based, African-led initiative that works to build a vibrant multidisciplinary African Academy that leads world-class research. The consortium includes eight African partner universities, four African research institutions, and eight non-African partner institutions. .

The African partner universities include Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi, Makerere University in Uganda, Moi University and the University of Nairobi in Kenya, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, the University of Rwanda, and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Partner research institutions on the continent are the African Population and Health Research Center in Kenya, Agincourt in South Africa, Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania, and the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Programme in Kenya.

Beyond Africa, the consortium is strengthened by non-African partners who support through mentorship, specialized training, and international opportunities. These include the University of Gothenburg, University of Bergen, and Umeå University in Sweden; the University of Warwick in the UK; Swiss TPH in Switzerland; ESE:O; the Canadian Association for Global Health (CAGH); and Brown University in the United States.

>> Learn more about CARTA here