Building Sustainable Bioinformatics Training Programs in Africa: Insights from ACE-Mali

Abstract

Introduction: The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data-Intensive Science (ACE), a public-private partnership, facilitated by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in collaboration with African research and academic institutions, private sector companies, and the Foundation for the NIH (FNIH). The ACE-Mali center, based at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), was established to address critical gaps in research infrastructure and training capacity in bioinformatics and data science in Mali and West Africa. Aims: ACE-Mali aims to conduct relevant research based on high-quality training in bioinformatics and data sciences while fostering innovative, collaborative research that supports national and regional health priorities. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data-Intensive Science (ACE), between April 2015 and June 2025. Methodology: To achieve this, ACE-Mali has implemented a multifaceted strategy that includes formal academic programs, short-term training sessions, and capacity-building workshops, funded in part by the NIH, Wellcome Trust, and international collaborations. Some students and faculty members have received support from programs including NIH-Fogarty training grants, H3ABioNet, and the Wellcome Trust-funded DELGEME program. Results: Since its inception in 2015, ACE-Mali has graduated 47 master’s degree students in bioinformatics from Mali and other African counties including Gabon, Burundi, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Cote d’Ivoire. Among the alumni, four have obtained a PhD in bioinformatics, twelve are pursuing a PhD, and fifteen have secured research assistant positions in different research institutions across Africa. They have co-authored over 25 scientific publications in peer-reviewed international journals. Conclusion: This work summarizes the key achievements of ACE-Mali, offering a model for building research capacity in bioinformatics and data science across Africa.