Collaboration research health Burkina Faso ANRS MIE
Burkina Faso partner site
last updated on april 28 2026
essential information about the Burkina Faso partner site
The Burkina Faso partner site is primarily anchored in two key institutions: the Muraz Centre of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) in Bobo-Dioulasso and the International Research Centre for Health (CRIS/UO) at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou.
- Key stakeholders: Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso, Muraz Centre/INSP, CRIS, PCCEI UMR 1058 Montpellier, French Embassy in Burkina Faso, ANRS MIE
- Main actions: strengthening national and international collaborations, supporting young researchers, assisting Burkinabè teams in responding to project calls, and reinforcing the Muraz Centre/INSP and CRIS
- Research priorities: HIV, viral hepatitis, human papillomavirus, tuberculosis, Covid-19, arboviruses
in brief
Established
2001
Leaders
Dr Dramane Kania (Burkina Faso Coordinator), Prof. Nicolas Nagot (France Coordinator)
Physical hosting
Muraz Centre/INSP, Bobo-Dioulasso, and CRIS/UO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
partnership genesis
The first Franco-Burkinabè collaborations in health research began as early as 1999. the partnership was established in 2001 and formally recognized in 2006 through a framework agreement between ANRS and the Ministry of Health, centered around the Muraz Centre in Bobo-Dioulasso.
Collaboration expanded to include a second research hub, the International Health Research Centre (CRIS/UO), located at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University (UJKZ) in Ouagadougou.
In recent years, the Burkina Faso partner site has broadened its scope to include emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, aligning with public health and scientific challenges in Burkina Faso and the wider region. Research is conducted using the One Health approach within a global health context.
The Muraz Centre and CRIS
The Muraz Centre in Bobo-Dioulasso is a Technical Directorate of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP). Its missions encompass research, training, and expertise across four major programs: infectious diseases, epidemic-prone diseases, sexual and reproductive health, health policy and system management, and knowledge capitalization. The Centre boasts a high-level technical laboratory for diagnosing and innovating infectious diseases, as well as a methodological and data management centre for research.
The International Health Research Centre (CRIS/UO) is a research and training structure within Joseph Ki-Zerbo University (UJKZ) in Ouagadougou. Its goal is to foster an international research platform for health at UJKZ and train young health professionals in medical research. The research activities address various public health issues related to HIV/AIDS and global health.
key dates in the franco-burkinabè collaboration
partnership governance and collaborators
Burkina Faso Coordinator: Dr. Dramane Kania
Muraz Centre/INSP, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
France Coordinator: Prof. Nicolas Nagot
PCCEI/UMR1058, Inserm, EFS, University of Montpellier, University of the Antilles, France
Deputy Coordinator: Dr. Désiré Dahourou
Institute for Health Sciences Research (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Honorary Coordinator: Prof. Nicolas Meda
CRIS/UO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
The partnership was previously coordinated by Prof. Nicolas Meda (Burkina Faso Coordinator) and Prof. Philippe Van de Perre (France Coordinator).
collaborators (non-exhaustive list)
Numerous partners, including universities, NGOs, ministries, research institutions, health structures, and community actors, are connected to the Muraz Centre and CRIS through the Burkina Faso partner site. Additional institutional, financial, and project-based partnerships also exist.
key activities of the partnership
- Collaboration with patient associations, health system actors, and policymakers from the outset of new research projects to facilitate knowledge production and transfer
- Scientific engagement: organizing exchange days with research and health actors on specific themes aligned with Burkina Faso’s priorities and regional needs
- Expanding and strengthening collaborations at national (IRSS Nanoro, Nouna, CNRFP, CORUS, LCR, ONSP, etc.), regional, and international levels with ANRS MIE’s international network, WHO, and others
- Continuing training and capacity building for young researchers and teams (project writing, policy notes, knowledge transfer, article writing)
- Supporting Burkinabè research teams in responding to project calls and implementing initiatives
- Enhancing the technical capabilities of the Muraz Centre/INSP to ensure high-quality research and strengthening CRIS infrastructure to provide adequate space for coordinating research projects
evolving research axes
research on HIV, STIs, and co-infections (tuberculosis, viral hepatitis)
Since the 1990s, Franco-Burkinabè health research collaborations have focused on HIV prevention, diagnosis, and management.
Therapeutic trials have been and continue to be conducted on mother-to-child transmission prevention (Kesho-Bora, Promise PEP, PREVENIR PEV, TRI MOM); improving treatment adherence and antiretroviral therapies (THILAO, MOBIDIP, 2LADY); and tuberculosis diagnosis in children living with HIV (PAANTHER).
Research on HIV and STI prevention among key populations (Yérelon cohorts for sex workers and CohMSM for MSM) has evaluated the feasibility and operational effectiveness of behavioral and biomedical strategies.
Social sciences have explored the lived experiences of patients and access to care for women living with HIV.
Biological research has analyzed HIV transmission (sexual and mother-to-child), treatment resistance, viral genetic diversity, and the impact of HIV-tuberculosis co-infection.
Studies on viral hepatitis have revealed a high prevalence of HBV and HCV with heterogeneous distribution across the country, proposing targeted intervention strategies (REVERSO).
research on emerging infectious diseases
Recent research axes include arboviruses (ARBOFASO) and Covid-19, with studies evaluating treatments (COVERAGE Africa), diagnostics, understanding the virus’s impact, and adopting a One Health approach.
current research priorities
Research activities led and supported by key actors at the Burkina Faso partner site and their collaborators focus on HIV, viral hepatitis, human papillomavirus (HPV), tuberculosis, Covid-19, and arboviruses. Various research domains are engaged, including innovation, diagnostics, clinical research, fundamental research, public health, and social sciences. More specifically:
- Clinical research: treatment simplification strategies, cervical cancer diagnosis and management in people living with HIV, treatment of emerging diseases (Covid-19), diagnostic innovation (HBV)
- HIV across the lifespan: preventing mother-to-child transmission, adolescence and transition to adulthood, aging
- Vulnerable populations: MSM*, sex workers, street children, drug users
- Hepatitis: epidemiology of hepatitis C and E, environmental impact (HBV and aflatoxin)
- Quadruple elimination of mother-to-child transmission (HIV, HBV, syphilis, Chagas disease)
- Emerging infectious diseases: dengue and other arboviruses, Covid-19, and epidemic preparedness
* men who have sex with men
** pre-exposure prophylaxis
*** sexually transmitted infections
contribution of the Burkina Faso partner site
The partnership has strengthened the Muraz Centre’s research capabilities and those of other Burkinabè research teams, fostering scientific innovation, training young researchers, developing health policies, and engaging communities.
The partnership has bolstered the Muraz Centre, leading to its national recognition and integration in 2018 as a technical research directorate of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP). ANRS MIE supported its equipment, including a cohort reception facility, a P2 molecular virology laboratory, an immunology laboratory, and a computing centre.
In 2021, thanks to the Burkina Faso partner site, the Muraz Centre joined the AFROSCREEN network for SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogen variant sequencing, with the installation of a genomics platform and acquisition of an Illumina MiniSeq sequencer.
The partner site also facilitated the creation of CRIS/UO, enhancing research coordination in Ouagadougou.
The Burkina Faso partner site collaborates with Nazi Boni University (UNB) and UJKZ to support master’s and PhD student training. This support has nurtured emerging young researchers who are key drivers of research and policy guidance on infectious diseases in Burkina Faso.
Associated researchers participate in various national and international technical groups to develop recommendations. These include national committees for SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance and HIV testing algorithm validation, as well as WHO working groups on HIV/hepatitis/STI therapeutics and breastfeeding.
The partnership also supports associations and community committees combating HIV and viral hepatitis in Burkina Faso. These actors contribute to scientific engagement and research projects, enabling initiatives targeting vulnerable populations.
Despite geopolitical challenges, the partner site continues to unite research actors, highlight conducted research, and explore new opportunities for Burkina Faso and the region.
