As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening the clinical trial ecosystem in Ethiopia, the AAU CDT Africa published a special issue in the Ethiopian Medical Journal (EMJ), released in June 2025, under the title “Transforming the Clinical Trials Ecosystem in Ethiopia.” The publication brings together a series of original research articles, brief communications, and perspectives, which attempted to describe the clinical trial ecosystem and how to strengthen it.
Specifically, the special issue highlighted the following:
- Analytic description of Ethiopia's Clinical trial landscape, which highlighted the marked increase in the registration of clinical trials in Ethiopia in the past 10 years, coinciding with the beginning of the regular celebration of the International Clinical Trials Day coordinated by CDT-Africa.
- The engagement of physicians in clinical trials demonstrating the potential for enhancing their involvement.
- Details on the challenges of conducting clinical trials in Ethiopia and the opportunities that can be leveraged.
- Reflections on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic for Ethical Review and Regulatory Oversight of Clinical Trials.
- Recommendations for transforming the Clinical Trials
- Quality study focusing on regulatory system and implementation of a Harmonized Ethical and Regulatory Review System for Clinical Trial Protocols in East Africa:
- What should be done to enhance evidence-Based Validation of Traditional Medicines?
- Regulatory system barriers, challenges and harmonization opportunities in East Africa
This special issue reaffirms CDT-Africa’s role in shaping evidence-based policy and strengthening the enabling environment for clinical trials in Ethiopia and beyond. The full special issue is available online here.