PeCHIVReT at the Twelfth EDCTP Forum – Kigali, Rwanda

From June 15–20, 2025, the Person-Centered HIV Research Team (PeCHIVReT) proudly participated in the Twelfth European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Forum, held at the iconic Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda 🇷🇼. Our representation at this biennial global health gathering was through Jennifer Onyehalu, our Assistant Research Coordinator, who fully immersed herself in a week of scientific learning, strategic networking, and powerful storytelling.

Organized by Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association, the 2025 Forum convened policymakers, scientists, advocates, and innovators from across Africa and Europe under the theme:
“Better Health Through Global Research Partnerships.”

Poster Presentation: Centering the Voices of Key Populations

A highlight of our participation was Jennifer’s poster presentation titled:
“Reducing HIV Risk in Ogun, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study on the Knowledge, Preference, and Willingness to Pay for Different PrEP Options among Female Sex Workers.”

This important work sparked rich dialogue with global researchers and advocates, reinforcing the relevance of context-sensitive, inclusive strategies for HIV prevention—especially for vulnerable populations navigating stigma, limited resources, and structural barriers.

Session Highlights and Key Learnings

Throughout the week, Jennifer engaged in high-impact sessions and activities, including:

• Plenary and Parallel Sessions:

  • HIV, coinfections, and comorbidities in women and PLHIV

  • Management of neglected infectious diseases (NIDs) like leprosy and schistosomiasis

  • Tackling infant and child mortality through health systems innovation

  • The intersection of climate change and infectious disease burden

• Meet-the-Expert & Communication Workshops:

  • Storytelling in science with Jaya Banerji

  • Mastering impactful research communication

  • Legal and financial workshops on actual cost grant management

• Africa CDC R&D Strategy Session:

  • Fostering African-led research through innovation ecosystems, government engagement, and talent development pipelines

Moments of Connection and Collaboration

Beyond the formal agenda, the Forum provided a fertile space for reconnecting with colleagues from Nigeria and the diaspora—including researchers from the University of Ilorin, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the CERMEL team. These moments, both structured and spontaneous, underscored the value of cross-border collaboration, mentorship, and solidarity in health research.

As Jennifer shared,

“No matter where we are in the world, when a Nigerian speaks, you just know. The energy, passion, and commitment to impact are unmistakable.”

A Transformative Experience

From thoughtful plenaries to cultural exchanges and dynamic hallway conversations, the Forum was a powerful reminder of the role person-centered, ethically grounded research plays in advancing public health outcomes. Jennifer’s three-word summary of the experience captured it best:
Partnership. Excellence. People.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) and Global Health EDCTP3 for creating a vibrant platform that celebrates African leadership, global equity, and science with heart.

At PeCHIVReT, we return reinvigorated—more committed than ever to championing equity-driven HIV research and meaningful partnerships that leave no one behind.