Held from the 26th to 27th February 2025 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, the conference brought together experts in pathogen genomics, bioinformatics, and public health to explore how data-driven approaches can enhance understanding of population health and strengthen healthcare systems across Africa. 

In his opening statement, Dr. Abdul Karim Sesay, Head of the Genomics Strategic Core Platform at MRCG, welcomed the participants and experts from around the world, emphasising the importance of collaboration in strengthening data that informs healthcare systems. 

"It is essential that we tackle the challenges we face and establish ourselves as a regional center of excellence. Rather than reinventing the wheel, our focus should be on leveraging access to resources and expertise. Strengthening collaboration with our African subcontinental partners remains a key priority in achieving this goal," he emphasised. 

Professor Nick Loman from the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham, highlighted that the workshop exemplifies the power of modern genomics, cloud computing, and bioinformatics in driving public health solutions across Africa. 

"Translating data into actionable insights is key to shaping public health policies, empowering the next generation of scientists and fostering collaboration. We are not just addressing today’s challenges, we are building the foundation for a healthier future, " he added. 

Professor Thomas Connor, Head of Public Health Genomics Programme, Public Health Wales said, "Global health is our health, and the only way to improve it is by sharing knowledge, empowering local leaders, and building capacity. This conference is a reminder that progress comes from strengthening leadership on the African continent and enabling leaders to harness the potential of genomics and cloud computing for public health." 

CLIMB-BIG-DATA is an ambitious 5-year initiative which seeks to deliver a cutting-edge scalable and dynamic bioinformatics platform to support academic research groups, government agencies and health services facing big data challenges in modern microbiology.  The goal of this initiative is to drive sustainable solutions by leveraging existing frameworks and technology to better understand infectious diseases and improve population health.