Africa is not short of the scientific expertise needed to solve its most pressing challenges, but expertise alone is not enough. For research to translate into meaningful solutions, scientists need to work outside of the box – and that means thinking creatively, engaging with diverse stakeholders and working beyond academia.

From tracing HIV evolution to understanding mpox transmission and the influence of climate on West Nile virus, researchers at VEME 2026 explored what genomic data can reveal about how viruses evolve and spread – and why interpreting those signals requires care.

Fluorobiotech was recently recognised with the Ecosystem Champion Award at the 2026 US Enterprises CEO Awards, celebrating our commitment to collaboration, opening opportunities for others, and contributing to the growth of South Africa’s biotechnology ecosystem.

Levi Hosea is exploring how genomic data can add a new dimension to infectious disease surveillance in Madagascar – helping scientists understand not only where disease is spreading, but how viruses are evolving and moving through populations.

By bringing together different layers of biological data, multi-omics is opening new possibilities for understanding complex biological questions that no single approach can answer alone. This emerging field was the focus of the Cape Town Multi-Omics Roadshow, exploring its growing potential for research in South Africa.

Africa is producing promising new health technologies, but developing the innovation is only part of the journey. At Cape HealthTech Connect 2026, researchers, entrepreneurs, clinicians, and investors explored what it takes to move an idea from the lab into the real world.

CERI’s new Senior Project Accountant, Ronel Winnaar, believes in the value of collaboration, continuous learning, and doing work that makes a difference.

Professor Tulio de Oliveira, Director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University (SU), has been awarded the prestigious Gardner Lectureship Award by the European Society for Clinical Virology (ESCV), recognising his international contributions to virology, genomic surveillance and epidemic response.

The Stellenbosch University Annual Homecoming Weekend brought together more than 3 000 alumni from four continents across 53 events. Among them, CERI hosted its inaugural Fellows and African STARS Reunion; a morning of honest conversation about mentorship, collaboration and the commercialisation of African scientific innovation.

What is the value of data? Across Africa, this question is being asked, though rarely in laboratories or journals. It surfaces instead in ministries, parliament and board rooms.

From the movement of Mpox along river systems and the spread of chikungunya across Réunion Island to ancient viruses preserved in Antarctica, the winning posters at VEME 2026 showcased how genomic and evolutionary approaches can reveal where viruses have come from, how they are changing, and where they may go next.

At VEME 2026 in Stellenbosch, Professors Moritz Kraemer and Houriiyah Tegally explored a central challenge for future outbreak preparedness: how to connect increasingly diverse sources of data to detect emerging threats earlier, understand how they develop, and target surveillance more effectively.

Researchers from around the world have gathered in Stellenbosch for the 29th International Bioinformatics Workshop on Virus Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology (VEME), ready for a week of intensive training, scientific exchange, and collaboration.

The SWEAT Africa Connect: Football Edition brought researchers, entrepreneurs, students and innovation organisations together for an afternoon on the pitch. Behind the friendly competition is a bigger goal: building an African innovation community that continues to connect, collaborate, and create opportunities.

KRISP hosted researchers and industry experts in Durban to explore emerging multi-omics technologies and their potential to shape future research.

Leadership Week opened the African STARS Fellowship with a focus on the self-awareness, purpose and relationships that shape effective leadership. Fellows Harriet Ng’ombe and Nzube Ekpunobi reflect on the lessons they will carry into their careers and the fellowship ahead.

Fezokuhle Khumalo’s next step at Oxford builds on a journey that has expanded her confidence, shaped her research ambitions and strengthened her determination to help African scientists lead solutions to the continent’s health challenges

Dr Gugu Gama on connecting African researchers to shape Africa’s research agenda.

African STARS fellows are using technology transfer to build biotechnology expertise and reduce Africa’s reliance on imported research reagents.

A new deep-learning approach shows that the conditions surrounding a location can reveal dengue suitability that conventional models may miss – potentially improving how countries target surveillance, vector control, and outbreak resources.

Professor Tulio de Oliveira joins a select global group recognised for shaping bioinformatics and computational biology – and for advancing Africa’s contribution to the field.

Bushra Razack brings a background in community development, entrepreneurship, and placemaking to her new collaboration with CERI and SWEAT Africa. Formerly CEO of Philippi Village, she is now working with Prof Tulio de Oliveira and the SWEAT Africa team to explore social impact innovation and township tech. In this article, she shares the experiences that have shaped her approach and what she hopes to bring to this new collaboration.

Professor Tulio de Oliveira, Director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University, has won the National Research Foundation’s 2026 Societal Impact Award, recognising the far-reaching contribution of his work to epidemic preparedness and response in South Africa and across Africa. 

Stellenbosch University’s 2026 Data School Hackathon brought more than 120 students together to tackle a real-world data challenge, showcasing how academia–industry partnerships can build skills, spark innovation and prepare the next generation of AI practitioners.

New research across 55 countries shows a substantial decline in PEPFAR-supported HIV treatment in 2025, raising questions about how countries including South Africa will sustain HIV care as external support decreases.

CERI researchers have developed an improved approach to predicting Ebola spillover by combining ecological suitability with human-driven factors including mining, bushmeat activity, forest loss, settlement and conflict.

Fifty early-career scientists from 20 African countries have joined the 2026 African STARS cohort, beginning a programme of scientific training, leadership development, mentorship and collaboration at CERI in Stellenbosch and CARE in Dakar.

Dr Margot Otto has been selected for the 2026–2027 UJMT Fogarty LAUNCH Programme, where she will investigate HIV drug resistance in rural KwaZulu-Natal while developing her expertise in epidemiology, bioinformatics and global health research.

Researchers have shown that defined bacterial starter cultures can successfully ferment mageu, with the addition of yeast shortening fermentation time. The findings also open possibilities for developing the traditional Southern African drink with potential functional health applications.

The KRISP team marked Mandela Day 2026 by volunteering at the CANSA Care Centre in Durban, restoring its vegetable garden to provide fresh produce for patients and residents.