AfrECC is a worldwide network dedicated to reducing the burden of esophageal cancer in eastern and southern Africa through research, training, and clinical care.
The African Esophageal Cancer Consortium (AfrECC) is a scientific consortium of epidemiologists, scientists, clinicians, and trainees who have a collective mission to reduce the burden of ESCC (Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma) in Africa. To support the sustainability of this work, the AfrECC Foundation was established in 2024 to generate dedicated financial support.
AfrECC’s work focuses on advancing etiology, early detection and clinical research, and on delivering clinical care and training to reduce the burden of ESCC in Africa.
The support arm to AfrECC, dedicated to fundraising and ensuring the long-term sustainability of its work across Africa. Learn more about what we do through the foundation.
The African Esophageal Cancer Consortium aims to reduce the burden of esophageal cancer in Africa through prevention research, clinical care, education, training and collaboration.
AfrECC is led by a Steering Committee which is democratically elected by active AfrECC members. Each committee member serves a four-year term. The current steering committee are presented below.
Program Manager for Cancer Collaboration, Muhimbili University of Health and AlliedSciences (MUHAS)
Program Director, Kilimanjaro Research Institute
Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology / Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
General Surgeon, Kamuzu Central Hospital
Professor of Medicine (retired), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USAVoluntary faculty, Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Deputy Branch Head, Environmental and Lifestyle Epidemiology, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Senior Lecturer, University of Zambia School of Medicine
Consortium Formation
AfrECC was formed at an NCI-IARC workshop in the US, bringing together clinicians and researchers to address the growing burden of ESCC in Africa
Call to Action
AfrECC published its first roadmap, defining the African ESCC corridor and outlining priorities for research, clinical care, and capacity building.
Global Recognition
AfrECC's work was featured in Nature Reviews, highlighting the consortium's contributions to understanding and addressing ESCC in Africa.
Governance Formalized
Formal bylaws were adopted, and a Steering committee was elected to provide structured leadership and oversight across consortium members.
AfrECC Foundation
The AfrECC Foundation (501(c)(3)) was established to support long-term sustainability, fundraising, and strategic growth of the consortium.
A multi-sector approach is vital to solving ESCC. We work with specialized groups across the globe.
