Growing Africa’s Next Generation of AMR Leaders

Leadership in antimicrobial resistance isn't built overnight. It grows through learning, collaboration and the willingness of people from different disciplines to work towards a common goal. That spirit was on full display as ReAct Africa concluded the fourth cohort of the Antimicrobial Resistance Leadership and Education Programme (AMRLEP), celebrating the achievements of 163 graduates from across Africa.

Bringing together students and early-career professionals from diverse backgrounds, including medicine, veterinary science, environmental health, biomedical sciences, public health and the social sciences, the programme continues to demonstrate the value of a One Health approach to addressing AMR.

Learning beyond the classroom

Throughout the programme, participants engaged in virtual learning sessions, collaborative discussions and practical assignments designed to strengthen both technical knowledge and leadership skills.

Rather than focusing solely on the science of antimicrobial resistance, AMRLEP encourages participants to think critically around communication, advocacy, policy and collaboration skills that are equally important for driving sustainable change.

The diversity of professional backgrounds within the cohort also created opportunities for participants to learn from one another, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of AMR itself.

Building tomorrow’s leaders

The fourth cohort recorded strong regional participation with 33 African countries represented and encouraged gender representation, with female participants achieving particularly high completion rates.

Feedback from participants highlighted the value of interactive learning, while also identifying opportunities to make future cohorts even more accessible through recorded sessions and flexible scheduling.

These insights will continue shaping the programme as it evolves to meet the needs of Africa’s growing AMR community.

Looking ahead

Every graduate represents more than a completed course, they become part of a growing network of grounded AMR champions committed to strengthening antimicrobial stewardship, influencing policy and promoting responsible antimicrobial use within their own institutions and communities.

As the AMRLEP alumni community continues to expand across the continent, so too does the collective capacity to respond to one of Africa’s most pressing public health challenges.