Advancing oncology education in low-income and middle-income African settings: global insights for local action

Abstract

Cancer incidence and mortality are rising globally, with their burden falling disproportionately on low-income and middle-income countries. Africa faces major gaps in oncology education and workforce development, limiting access to high-quality cancer care. Focusing on efforts relevant to oncology in Africa, we provide an overview of existing programmes and models for educating health-care personnel in resource-constrained regions, highlighting challenges and effective strategies. Current efforts described include formal curricula, fellowship programmes, mentorship networks, and technology-driven solutions such as e-learning and telemedicine. Funding, language and cultural barriers, and policy gaps pose persistent obstacles to the creation and effective implementation of oncology education and workforce development initiatives. Emerging technological innovations for education, such as artificial intelligence-driven learning, virtual reality, and adaptive platforms, offer scalable opportunities for advancement. Keys to success include sustainable, interdisciplinary, and international collaborations within and across sectors; close tailoring of initiatives to local needs; as well as policy advocacy and alignment with national and international health policy frameworks.