We are pleased to share a new publication from the ODIN Consortium in BMC Infectious Diseases titled “Harnessing Genomics and Bioinformatics for Surveillance of Pathogens in Africa: A Scoping Review of Existing Training and Gaps in Training.” 

The review provides a comprehensive overview of genomics and bioinformatics training initiatives supporting pathogen surveillance across Africa. It highlights significant progress in capacity building over the past decade, while identifying persistent challenges including limited infrastructure, shortages of skilled personnel, and the need for sustainable, long-term training programmes. 

The findings emphasise the importance of strengthening local expertise, embedding training within academic and public health institutions, and aligning capacity-building efforts with surveillance system needs to support outbreak preparedness and response. 

This publication contributes to ODIN’s broader mission of strengthening genomic surveillance capacity across Africa and supporting resilient, locally led public health systems through collaboration, innovation, and training. 

Read the publication: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-026-13671-2