Training young Francophone African researchers in tuberculosis research: a new Masterclass to consolidate the achievements of the first
From 1 to 6 December 2025, dozens of researchers from Francophone African countries will meet in Cotonou, Benin, for the second Tuberculosis (TB) research masterclass organised by L’Initiative. This course follows an initial edition held two years earlier, in December 2023, in partnership with the Institut Pasteur of Cameroon. To introduce the 2025 session, Dr Dissou Affolabi — an invited epidemic specialist and trainer — discusses with us the benefits of this multidisciplinary teaching programme.
How does the TB Masterclass aim to respond to the needs and challenges of tuberculosis research?
Research is a cornerstone of the global “End TB” strategy. Unfortunately, it remains a weak link in endemic countries, mainly because of a shortage of qualified human resources in this field. The TB Masterclass offers an opportunity to fill this gap by training a critical mass of researchers who are directly involved in national tuberculosis control programmes (PNLT), thereby strengthening their research capacities. These practitioners, who come from diverse training backgrounds and have varied experience, are well placed to understand the challenges faced by the PNLT.
In recent years, TB research has made remarkable strides while also facing growing challenges. Among the advances are faster and more accurate diagnostics and shorter, better-tolerated treatment regimens. However, these advances have sometimes been hampered by cuts in international and national funding, limiting the execution of projects, delaying the implementation of new solutions and slowing progress in the fight against TB, especially in the most affected regions. Against these constraints, optimising control strategies becomes crucial, which underlines the importance of promoting research.
The TB Masterclass seeks to provide concrete responses by bringing together experts and researchers to share the latest scientific, innovative and multidisciplinary advances in TB. It also aims to encourage international cooperation, facilitate the transfer of technologies and knowledge, explore new strategies for diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and strengthen south–south collaboration among researchers in endemic regions.
Why was Benin chosen to host the TB Masterclass 2025?
Benin was selected as the host country in order to capitalise on specific strengths the country offers. Indeed, Benin hosts the only World Health Organization Supranational Reference Laboratory for West and Central Africa. This laboratory has diagnostic and research infrastructures and platforms that participants will have the opportunity to visit. In addition, Benin serves as the executive secretariat of the network of national TB programme coordinators (the WARN/CARN-TB network), which brings together various TB control initiatives in the region. Thanks to this dual expertise — a reference laboratory and a regional secretariat — the Beninese team has solid experience in organising trainings and a variety of courses. Finally, Benin’s visa exemption for all African nationals facilitates the organisation of the event for both organisers and participants.
Why is a holistic (social and clinical) approach to the epidemic necessary? What is the relevance of a multidisciplinary operational research approach?
A holistic approach to the TB epidemic, combining social and clinical aspects, is essential because an effective fight cannot be limited to clinical care alone. Social determinants such as poverty, nutrition and access to healthcare strongly influence prevention, diagnosis and treatment adherence. Neglecting these factors can reduce the effectiveness of interventions. Adopting a multidisciplinary operational research approach makes it possible to address these different dimensions in a complementary way by combining medicine, sociology, economics and public health. Within the framework of this Masterclass, this broader perspective is relevant to encourage innovative and sustainable solutions, by bringing together social sciences and clinical sciences to better understand and combat the epidemic.
Understand tuberculosis research
Grasp the salient issues of the epidemic through the voices of eight researcher–trainers who took part in the 2023 Masterclass. An accessible, educational podcast.
