Prof Samuel Kariuki, DNDi Continental Lead Africa & Eastern Africa Director, with former director Dr Monique Wasunna, currently the DNDi Africa Ambassador.The award was presented on Friday, in Tokyo, in the presence of the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and hosted by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
The Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize, established by the Government of Japan in 2006, is considered the country’s highest medical honour.
It is awarded every three years in memory of Dr Hideyo Noguchi (1876–1928), a Japanese physician and bacteriologist who died in Africa while studying yellow fever. The prize recognises outstanding achievements in medical research and services in Africa that contribute to better health and welfare.
DNDi was recognised for its pioneering role in developing and delivering new treatments for neglected tropical diseases, particularly sleeping sickness. Since its creation in 2003, DNDi has delivered 13 new treatments for six deadly diseases, nine of which were developed and delivered from Africa. Among its breakthroughs is fexinidazole, the world’s first all-oral treatment for both forms of sleeping sickness—gambiense and rhodesiense—diseases that had long burdened African communities.
“This recognition is proof of the power of a model for medical innovation driven purely by patients’ needs, where African scientists are leading the charge against diseases that have long burdened our communities,” said Prof Samuel Kariuki, DNDi Continental Lead Africa & Eastern Africa Director. “DNDi was founded with the vision that Africa should not have to wait for others to solve our health challenges. We remain committed to ensuring that no disease is overlooked simply because it affects the poorest and most vulnerable.”
The organisation’s work spans multiple African countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Guinea, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it has partnered with local institutions to conduct clinical trials and roll out treatments. Beyond sleeping sickness, DNDi has advanced new therapies for leishmaniasis, pediatric HIV, and mycetoma, and is pushing for innovations against river blindness and dengue.
Kemri, which co-founded DNDi, celebrated the recognition. “As one of DNDi’s founding partners, Kemri is immensely proud to see DNDi recognised for its outstanding contributions, and for our shared commitment to addressing neglected diseases,” said Prof Elijah Songok, Director General of Kemri. “It demonstrates that when African institutions lead research initiatives, we achieve global impact. This prize validates the critical role African research institutions play in advancing global health equity.”
The medical research category of this year’s prize went to Dr Abdoulaye Djimdé of Mali, recognised for his contributions to malaria treatment and control. Past laureates include Kenya’s Prof Miriam Were, the Guinea Worm Eradication Program of the Carter Centre, South Africa’s Dr Salim and Dr Quarraisha Abdool Karim, and Dr Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum of the DRC.
In accepting the award, DNDi expressed gratitude to Kemri for its nomination and to the Government of Japan for the recognition. The organization reaffirmed its mission to deliver safe, effective, and affordable treatments for neglected patients worldwide, with research priorities now also focusing on climate-linked diseases and health equity.
