Effective environmental health policy and practice must be built on a foundation of rigorous, context-appropriate research. Yet Africa has long been underserved by environmental health research that reflects its diverse realities and priorities. AFREHO’s Research & Innovation program addresses this gap by supporting and conducting high-quality research that generates locally relevant evidence, informs policy, and drives practical innovation.

Our research agenda spans the full spectrum of environmental health concerns—from traditional challenges like water quality and sanitation to emerging issues such as air pollution, chemical safety, and the health impacts of climate change. We prioritize participatory research approaches that engage communities as partners, not subjects, ensuring that findings translate into actionable solutions. Through partnerships with universities, research institutions, and think tanks across Africa and globally, we build research capacity and foster scientific collaboration.

Innovation is the natural extension of research. We support the development and testing of new technologies, service delivery models, and behavior change approaches tailored to African contexts. From low-cost water testing kits to community-based environmental monitoring systems, our innovation agenda seeks practical, scalable solutions that can be adapted and adopted across the continent. We document and disseminate findings through publications, policy briefs, and knowledge-sharing platforms, ensuring that evidence reaches those who need it most.

Key Objectives

• Conduct and commission rigorous research on priority environmental health issues

• Build research capacity among African institutions and early-career researchers

• Translate research findings into accessible formats for policymakers and practitioners

• Foster innovation in environmental health technologies and approaches

• Establish AFREHO as a trusted source of environmental health evidence for Africa

• Create platforms for knowledge exchange and scientific collaboration

Research Priorities

• Environmental burden of disease in African contexts

• Climate change and health adaptation strategies

• Water quality monitoring and innovative treatment technologies

• Sanitation behavior change and sustainable service delivery

• Air pollution sources, exposures, and health impacts

• Chemical safety and waste management

• Health impacts of urbanization and housing

• One Health approaches to environmental health challenges

Target Audience

• Environmental health researchers and academics

• Graduate students and early-career scientists

• Policymakers seeking evidence for decision-making

• Practitioners looking for effective interventions

• Development partners funding environmental health programs

• Communities interested in participatory research

Expected Outcomes

• 50+ peer-reviewed publications within 3 years

• 10+ policy briefs informing national and regional policy

• Strengthened research capacity in 20+ African institutions

• Documented innovations ready for scale-up

• Established AFREHO research network across Africa

• Increased African representation in global environmental health research

Related SDGs