The Grand Challenges 2023 annual meeting was held at CICAD in Diamniadio, confirming the strong partnership between Senegal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, whose Regional Office for West and Central Africa is based in Senegal .
This annual meeting, co-chaired by Head of State Macky SALL and Bill Gates, was a platform for exchanges and dialogue to stimulate research, innovation and financing in health and development. It brought together the scientific community, funders and policy makers to tackle major global challenges.
During his speech, President Sall highlighted the importance of science in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and encouraged Africa to mobilize to develop a true biotechnology industry, including the manufacturing of vaccines. The Head of State also highlighted the role of “bajenu boxes” in health policies and encouraged the scientific community in its efforts to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as for the development of effective vaccines accessible to all.
Finally, Bill Gates announced funding of $40 million to facilitate RNA vaccine research, an initiative welcomed by President Sall.