Why Africa Needs to Be Included in Global Innovation—and How Video Can Help

Africa carries one-quarter of the global disease burden, yet in 2023 only 1.1% of the world’s clinical trials were conducted on the continent (WHO, 2023). This under-representation is not just a statistic—it has profound consequences. Clinical trials determine where life-saving medicines are first approved, how quickly they become available, and whether treatments are tested for safety and effectiveness across diverse populations. When Africa is left out, health solutions risk being ill-suited for the people who need them most.

For example, Africa accounts for more than 80% of all cases of sickle cell disease, yet no gene therapy trials for the condition are underway on the continent. Similarly, modern innovations like long-acting injectables that improve adherence and outcomes are rarely tested beyond HIV/AIDS. Without inclusive trials, millions of Africans are denied timely access to cutting-edge care, while global health security suffers from a lack of diverse data.

But while the pharmaceutical industry has been slow to adapt, Africa itself is not standing still. Strong foundations are already in place, from research infrastructure built around HIV and malaria to the continent-wide progress toward the African Medicines Agency. The opportunity now is to ensure that innovations are developed with Africans, not merely for them.

This is where organizations like illuminAid step in. By equipping local communities with tools and skills for effective communication, we help close the gap between medical innovation and public health impact.

In April 2024, illuminAid partnered with the U.S. Peace Corps in Cameroon to host a Video Education Workshop (VEW). Over four days, Peace Corps volunteers and their Cameroonian counterparts were trained in scripting, filming, and editing health education videos—focusing on malaria prevention and vaccine promotion. Participants received cameras, cordless projectors, and solar-powered recharge kits, enabling them to share vital content even in remote communities without electricity.

As a result, dozens of new local video makers are now equipped to create culturally sensitive, engaging videos that spark behavior change related to malaria prevention and improve community health outcomes. By the end of the workshop, participants had the skills to continue producing videos that not only inform but also empower communities to take ownership of their health.

As the conversation on global health equity highlights the critical need for inclusion in research and access, illuminAid’s model shows how video-based education bridges the gap between global medical innovation and local realities. When health messages are crafted in ways that resonate with communities, awareness grows, behavior shifts, and lifesaving interventions reach those who need them most.

At illuminAid, we believe that solving global health challenges requires both cutting-edge science and effective communication. By working alongside partners from NGOs to local governments to grassroots organizations we are building a future where no community is left behind in the fight for health equity.