The Journal of Public Health in Africa (JPHIA), a peer-reviewed, open-access journal owned by Africa CDC, is expanding opportunities for African researchers to publish scientific evidence that informs public health policy and practice.
Africa accounts for roughly a quarter of the global disease burden but produces only about 3% of published health research. JPHIA seeks to address this imbalance by increasing the visibility, accessibility and influence of African-led research.
Africa CDC became the journal’s managing partner in 2018 and acquired it in 2022, strengthening its role as a continentally owned platform for scientific publishing. Since 2024, South Africa-based AOSIS has managed publishing operations.
The journal has since expanded its reach and output. In 2025, JPHIA published 171 articles, compared with 31 in 2024, marking a more than fivefold increase. Since 2018, it has published over 805 articles and received submissions from researchers in 47 of the 55 African Union Member States.
This growth reflects the journal’s broad coverage of Africa’s public health priorities. Its 17 subject areas include infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, epidemiology, health systems, maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases and pandemic preparedness.
JPHIA is also indexed in major scientific databases, including PubMed Central, Scopus and Web of Science, increasing the international visibility of African research. Alongside expanding publication opportunities, JPHIA is investing in the researchers who generate this evidence.
Through mentorship, manuscript-writing workshops and initiatives supporting National Public Health Institutes, the journal helps researchers translate data into publishable scientific findings. In 2025, these efforts included a manuscript-writing workshop and a continental consultation involving participants from 16 countries.
Efforts to make publishing more accessible have also improved editorial efficiency. The median time to first decision for peer-reviewed manuscripts fell from 72 to 48 days, while a 55% discount on article-processing charges and needs-based full waivers help reduce financial barriers for authors.
Building on these gains, JPHIA is working to establish a Pan-African Network of Health Journals, expand partnerships with scientific institutions and increase the publication of African-authored, policy-relevant research.
Through these efforts, the journal is strengthening Africa’s scientific publishing capacity and helping ensure that evidence generated on the continent informs public health decisions and practice.
