KidneyGenAfrica: a pan-African partnership to deliver research and training excellence in genomics of kidney disease

Launch of KidneyGenAfrica at the African Society of Human Genetics Conference in Uganda, Feb 2025

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a major global health concern, contributing significantly to both morbidity and mortality, with over 850 million individuals estimated to be affected by some form of kidney disease globally, most of whom reside in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Its impact in Africa has been difficult to quantify due to inconsistencies in data collection across countries, amongst other factors. In addition, standard the diagnostic test based on creatinine-based estimates of glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcr)- has been shown to miss up to 20% of CKD in African populations.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have highlighted ancestry-specific influences, including high-risk APOL1 variants and the high prevalence of sickle cell disease, which could be essential to refine diagnostic tools and improve CKD detection in African populations. This is particularly relevant in settings where patients often present late, and dialysis, which is the standard of care in high-income countries, is either unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Therefore, methods that enable early detection, especially among high-risk groups, represents cost-effective, public health strategies to slow disease progression and reduce premature death.

Historically, African populations have been under-represented in global genomic datasets - despite its vast genetic variety. To address this inequity, KidneyGenAfrica has been established as a way to build research capacity in the region and to advance CKD research through large-scale data analyses. It will unite existing research cohorts and networks to harmonise data, conduct large-scale genomic analyses and uncover ancestry-specific risk factors for kidney disease. In addition, KidneyGenAfrica will build sustainable local expertise, by providing training, funding and collaborative networks for African academics.

Professor Segun Fatumo, Professor and Chair of Genomic Diversity in Queen Mary's Precision Healthcare University Research Institute (PHURI), a co-director in the new partnership, said: 'KidneyGenAfrica will build long-term partnerships to maximise existing resources and ensure benefits for African populations. It will also build capacity by targeting early-career African researchers through PhD and postdoctoral training programmes and train them in genetic epidemiology and computational genomics.’ He went on: ‘It's our opportunity to ensure that African data and African expertise enriches global efforts to understand CKD.'

KidneyGenAfrica is made up of partners  from Malawi, Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa and collaborators globally from the US, Europe and Africa. It is funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Medical Research Council (MRC). More details of the partnership can be found at KidneyGenAfrica.org