The objective of the session was to explore how development funds dedicated to the establishment of clinical research infrastructures and capacity building activities can increase the impact on the health and wellbeing of African citizens and on the African economy. The session participants made the following recommendations:

1. Galvanise existing models and networks through clear medium and long term commitments
2. Correct the existing lack of equity in access to health and innovation by investing (in an equitable manner) in capacity strengthening and infrastructure in limited resource settings
3. Support the creation of an ecosystem as opposed to a siloed approach
4. Support infrastructure at the national level with a view of developing Centres of Excellence with state of the art equipment and highly qualified professionals, that attract both industry and academic trials.
5. Support development of local expertise (scientific excellence and leadership) with strong international collaboration
6. Support research network building, coordination, and harmonisation efforts
7. Development cooperation funding must leverage domestic cofunding to enable sustainable research capacity
8. Support innovative ways to raise ethics and regulatory oversight of clinical trials
9. Increase investments in cross-disease health demographic surveillance systems and further integration of health research into health care systems
10. Support more patient-centred approaches
11. Capitalise on the digital revolution to extend the reach and impact of training and networks and closely monitor megatrends in digital technologies.