Africa’s first-ever conference on brain health and dementia was launched in Nairobi, bringing together leading experts from across the continent and the globe to address the growing public health challenge of dementia.
Hosted by Aga Khan University’s Brain & Mind Institute in partnership with The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC) and Nature Conferences, the event aimed to share the latest research and explore solutions for dementia in Africa, where the number of people affected by the disease is expected to skyrocket in the coming decades.
The conference, titled “The Future of Dementia in Africa: Advancing Global Partnerships,” focused on the unique challenges Africa faces in addressing dementia, including limited healthcare infrastructure, lack of resources, and the need for increased awareness and education.
Experts presented research on the genetic factors contributing to dementia, the epidemiology of the disease in African populations, early detection methods, and potential interventions.
Prof. Zul Merali, Director of the Brain & Mind Institute at Aga Khan University, highlighted the urgency of the issue during his address at the opening ceremony. He emphasized the need for early detection and the importance of lifestyle changes in reducing dementia risks. “As we look at the unique challenges faced in addressing dementia in Africa, we must recognize that capacity building in the global south is essential to enable early detection of the disease. Lifestyle changes play a crucial role in altering the trajectory of dementia, and it’s something we must communicate consistently to the public,” said Prof. Zul.
The event also underscored the need for more diverse genetic research. Studies presented at the conference examined how genetic discrepancies between African populations and their Caucasian counterparts impact the effectiveness of targeted therapies.
A lack of diversity in global genomic studies limits the development of treatments that could be more effective for Africa’s unique populations.
“These studies exemplify why we champion diverse genetic research in dementia. Each insight brings us closer to revolutionizing Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment globally. This conference marks a pivotal step toward inclusive, effective solutions for brain health across all populations,” said George Vradenburg, Founding Chairman of the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative.
With Africa’s older population expected to triple by 2050, dementia is becoming an increasingly urgent health issue. In 2015, 2.13 million people in sub-Saharan Africa were living with dementia, a number projected to rise to 7.62 million by 2050.
Experts at the conference discussed how Africa’s evolving healthcare systems provide an opportunity for innovative brain health solutions, emphasizing the importance of building capacity to handle the growing burden of dementia.
The conference also aimed to foster new partnerships between African researchers and global institutions, enabling collaboration on research and healthcare interventions.
Delegates agreed that addressing the rising rates of dementia requires concerted efforts, including public education, policy reform, and research-driven solutions tailored to the African context.
As Africa prepares for an unprecedented increase in its elderly population, the inaugural brain health and dementia conference signals a significant step forward in tackling one of the continent’s most pressing health challenges.
By advancing research and strengthening partnerships, Africa is poised to make critical strides in dementia prevention and care.