Omar Abdihamid, Clinical Oncologist at Shabaha Cancer Centre, Vice-President of AORTIC East Africa, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Honored to have participated in the 16th AORTIC- Africa International Conference in Hammamet, Tunisia, where the African Cancer Leadership Initiative (ACLI)—AORTIC’s flagship mentorship and capacity-building program—took center stage.
This year’s meeting was especially meaningful as I also had the privilege of being elected AORTIC Vice President–East Africa (2025–2027). I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me and remain committed to advancing equitable cancer control, research excellence, and regional collaboration across East Africa.
Over the past two years, ACLI has grown into one of the most promising leadership pipelines in African oncology. This year’s sessions demonstrated the remarkable achievements of ACLI fellows, showcasing Africa-centric research, mentorship impact, and innovative approaches to strengthening cancer systems.
Key themes from ACLI sessions included:
- Leadership development and supporting women in oncology research
- Grant acquisition and capacity building for emerging African investigators
- Global oncology training and fellowships, shaping future leaders
- Research integrity and clinical trial rigor, including tools for Africa-appropriate trial appraisal
- Precision medicine, gender equality, and multi-country collaborations
- Medical tourism, ethics, and policy gaps in African cancer care
I contributed to discussions on clinical trials quality, research integrity, and the future direction of ACLI, including presenting the draft ACLI 2026 framework.
The message was clear: Africa has the talent, vision, and leadership to shape its own oncology research agenda. What is needed now is sustained investment, mentorship, and strong continental networks.
As Vice President–Elect for East Africa, I look forward to working with colleagues across the region to strengthen research ecosystems, build workforce capacity, and advocate for patient-centered cancer policies.”
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