African leadership in brain diplomacy: The Yaoundé declaration advances the global brain economy playbook for better brain health

Alfred Kongnyu Njamnshi; Jacques Fame Ndongo; Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh; Lejeune Mbella Mbella; Paul M. Ghogomu; Séraphin M. Fouda; Marie Thérèse A. Ondoa Obama; Madeleine Tchuinte; Alamine Ousmane Mey; Malachie Manaouda; Joseph Beti Assomo; René E. Sadi; Louis Paul Motaze; Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi; Minette Libom Li Likeng; Pauline E. Nalova Lyonga; Laurent S. Etoundi Ngoa; Mounouna Foutsou; Narcisse Mouelle Kombi; Bakary Issa Tchiroma; Grégoire Owona; Henri Eyebe Ayissi; Confiance Ebune Balungeli; Pierre Hele; Calistus G. Fuh; Rose N. Fomundam Mbah Acha; Pierre I. Bidoung Kpwatt; Felix Mbayu; Paul N. Tasong; Jean de Dieu Momo; Jérôme P. Doh; Boniface Bayaola; Vivian A. Kilo; David Abouem à Tchoyi; Dorothy L. Njeuma; Simon F. Tamfu; Fru F. Angwafo; Sammy B. Chumbow; Remy M. Etoua; Richard L. Omgba; Horace Ngomo Manga; Roger Tsafack Nanfosso; Andrew Chan; François Xavier Etoa; Joseph Marie B. Zambo; Evelyn M. Mah; Michel Tommo Monthe; Salomon Eheth; Churchill Monono; Paul P. Biffot; Wilfred Gabsa; Cosmas Cheka; George Echu; Achille E. Bella; Louis Richard Njock; Augustina G.N. Fongod; Daniel U. Ndongo; Rose F.G. Leke; Jean E. Pondi; Graham Fieggen; Bello B. Shehu; Rym Ayadi; Zul Merali; Sadiq Yusuf; Angela Esi Apeagyei; Kirti Ranchod; Mohamed Salama; Abdon Atangana; Eddy Ngokeu; Wilfred Ndifon; Georges Tiahou; Romain Tchoua; Lise Korsten; Agustin Ibanez; Gagandeep Singh; Jafri M. Abdullah; Rajinder K. Dhamija; Amadi O. Ihunwo; Victor W.A. Mbarika; David Mbah; Wepnyu Y. Njamnshi; Leonard Ngarka; Nene Ahidjo; Caleb Njitung; Joseph N. Siewe Fodjo; Paul F. Seke Etet; Jean Gustave Tsiagadigui; Anne Cécile Z.K. Bissek; Assumpta L. Bella; Jean Claude Mbanya; Alexis Ndjolo; Vincent de Paul Djientcheu; Felicien E. Ntone; Henry N. Luma; Emile Mboudou; Jean Marie Kasia; Robert J.I. Leke; Esther Ngo Um Meka; Gloria Ashuntantang; Ngaroua; Elizabeth Ngo Bum; Oudou Njoya; Wilfred F. Mbacham; Pierre Ongolo-Zogo; Joelle N. Chabwine; Bernard Fongang; Serge Vulliemoz; Stephen Perrig; Roman Sztajzel; Daniel Etya'ale; Jean Marie Annoni; Sarbani Chakraborty; Sarah Tishkoff; Jose E. Cavazos; Gladys Maestre; Sudha Seshadri; Kee B. Park; Charles Newton; J. W. Sander; Arjune Sen; Judy Illes; Anthony J. Hannan; Andrea S. Winkler; Vaibhav Narayan; Connor McLaughlin; Mika Pyykko; Jo An Occhipinti; Deborah Beck; Julie Hiromoto; Kristina Adorjan; Frédéric Destrebecq; George Vradenburg; Facundo Manes; Helen Cross; Daniela Filipescu; Vladimir Hachinski; Claudio L.A. Bassetti; Yaoundé Declaration Scientific Technical Committee; Harris A. Eyre

doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.04.032

African leadership in brain diplomacy: The Yaoundé declaration advances the global brain economy playbook for better brain health

Alfred Kongnyu Njamnshi, Jacques Fame Ndongo, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Paul M. Ghogomu, Séraphin M. Fouda, Marie Thérèse A. Ondoa Obama, Madeleine Tchuinte, Alamine Ousmane Mey, Malachie Manaouda, Joseph Beti Assomo, René E. Sadi, Louis Paul Motaze, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, Minette Libom Li Likeng, Pauline E. Nalova Lyonga, Laurent S. Etoundi Ngoa, Mounouna Foutsou, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Bakary Issa TchiromaGrégoire Owona, Henri Eyebe Ayissi, Confiance Ebune Balungeli, Pierre Hele, Calistus G. Fuh, Rose N. Fomundam Mbah Acha, Pierre I. Bidoung Kpwatt, Felix Mbayu, Paul N. Tasong, Jean de Dieu Momo, Jérôme P. Doh, Boniface Bayaola, Vivian A. Kilo, David Abouem à Tchoyi, Dorothy L. Njeuma, Simon F. Tamfu, Fru F. Angwafo, Sammy B. Chumbow, Remy M. Etoua, Richard L. Omgba, Horace Ngomo Manga, Roger Tsafack Nanfosso, Andrew Chan, François Xavier Etoa, Joseph Marie B. Zambo, Evelyn M. Mah, Michel Tommo Monthe, Salomon Eheth, Churchill Monono, Paul P. Biffot, Wilfred Gabsa, Cosmas Cheka, George Echu, Achille E. Bella, Louis Richard Njock, Augustina G.N. Fongod, Daniel U. Ndongo, Rose F.G. Leke, Jean E. Pondi, Graham Fieggen, Bello B. Shehu, Rym Ayadi, Zul Merali, Sadiq Yusuf, Angela Esi Apeagyei, Kirti Ranchod, Mohamed Salama, Abdon Atangana, Eddy Ngokeu, Wilfred Ndifon, Georges Tiahou, Romain Tchoua, Lise Korsten, Agustin Ibanez, Gagandeep Singh, Jafri M. Abdullah, Rajinder K. Dhamija, Amadi O. Ihunwo, Victor W.A. Mbarika, David Mbah, Wepnyu Y. Njamnshi, Leonard Ngarka, Nene Ahidjo, Caleb Njitung, Joseph N. Siewe Fodjo, Paul F. Seke Etet, Jean Gustave Tsiagadigui, Anne Cécile Z.K. Bissek, Assumpta L. Bella, Jean Claude Mbanya, Alexis Ndjolo, Vincent de Paul Djientcheu, Felicien E. Ntone, Henry N. Luma, Emile Mboudou, Jean Marie Kasia, Robert J.I. Leke, Esther Ngo Um Meka, Gloria Ashuntantang, Ngaroua, Elizabeth Ngo Bum, Oudou Njoya, Wilfred F. Mbacham, Pierre Ongolo-Zogo, Joelle N. Chabwine, Bernard Fongang, Serge Vulliemoz, Stephen Perrig, Roman Sztajzel, Daniel Etya'ale, Jean Marie Annoni, Sarbani Chakraborty, Sarah Tishkoff, Jose E. Cavazos, Gladys Maestre, Sudha Seshadri, Kee B. Park, Charles Newton, J. W. Sander, Arjune Sen, Judy Illes, Anthony J. Hannan, Andrea S. Winkler, Vaibhav Narayan, Connor McLaughlin, Mika Pyykko, Jo An Occhipinti, Deborah Beck, Julie Hiromoto, Kristina Adorjan, Frédéric Destrebecq, George Vradenburg, Facundo Manes, Helen Cross, Daniela Filipescu, Vladimir Hachinski, Claudio L.A. Bassetti, Yaoundé Declaration Scientific Technical Committee, Harris A. Eyre

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Africa, the world's second-largest continent is home to 1.5 billion people, accounting for nearly 20% of the global population, (60% under age 25). By 2050, Africa's population will be 2.5 billion, and by 2035, more young Africans will be entering the workforce each year than in the rest of the world combined. Africa also hosts a rich social, cultural, and geopolitical diversity across its 5 geopolitical zones covering 54 countries. It is the most genetically, culturally, and linguistically diverse region on the planet. However, Africa's contribution to the global economy could be more significant if it urgently embraces the brain economy and leads in the development of new methodologies and approaches which can be exported around the world. In this paper, we explain our strategy to advance the Yaoundé Declaration for the Brain Economy, Brain Health, and Brain Capital. The Declaration has been endorsed by Cameroon's President, His Excellency Paul Biya, and demonstrates African leadership in global brain and society innovations, laying out a roadmap for how Africa can outcompete other economies by deftly deploying brain science-inspired policies and investments. We outline a new economic approach for African jobs, economic growth, sustainability, resilience, health, and well-being. The brain economy offers a broader framework than the current sustainable development goals (SDG) agenda. The Yaoundé Declaration is trans-disciplinary and cross-cutting across sectors: 32 sitting members of government from different sectors having co-authored this paper. It aligns with many aspects of the United Nations Pact for the Future and can accelerate the SDG.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	161-174
Number of pages	14
Journal	Neuroscience
Volume	577
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.04.032
State	Published - Jun 21 2025

Keywords

Brain Health
Brain capital
Brain economy
Green, digital care and bioeconomy transitions
Neurodiplomacy
Policy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Neuroscience

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10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.04.032

Cite this

Njamnshi, A. K., Fame Ndongo, J., Ngoh Ngoh, F., Mbella Mbella, L., Ghogomu, P. M., Fouda, S. M., Ondoa Obama, M. T. A., Tchuinte, M., Ousmane Mey, A., Manaouda, M., Beti Assomo, J., Sadi, R. E., Motaze, L. P., Nganou Djoumessi, E., Li Likeng, M. L., Nalova Lyonga, P. E., Etoundi Ngoa, L. S., Foutsou, M., Mouelle Kombi, N., ... Eyre, H. A. (2025). African leadership in brain diplomacy: The Yaoundé declaration advances the global brain economy playbook for better brain health. Neuroscience, 577, 161-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.04.032

Njamnshi, AK, Fame Ndongo, J, Ngoh Ngoh, F, Mbella Mbella, L, Ghogomu, PM, Fouda, SM, Ondoa Obama, MTA, Tchuinte, M, Ousmane Mey, A, Manaouda, M, Beti Assomo, J, Sadi, RE, Motaze, LP, Nganou Djoumessi, E, Li Likeng, ML, Nalova Lyonga, PE, Etoundi Ngoa, LS, Foutsou, M, Mouelle Kombi, N, Tchiroma, BI, Owona, G, Ayissi, HE, Balungeli, CE, Hele, P, Fuh, CG, Fomundam Mbah Acha, RN, Bidoung Kpwatt, PI, Mbayu, F, Tasong, PN, Momo, JDD, Doh, JP, Bayaola, B, Kilo, VA, Abouem à Tchoyi, D, Njeuma, DL, Tamfu, SF, Angwafo, FF, Chumbow, SB, Etoua, RM, Omgba, RL, Ngomo Manga, H, Tsafack Nanfosso, R, Chan, A, Etoa, FX, Zambo, JMB, Mah, EM, Tommo Monthe, M, Eheth, S, Monono, C, Biffot, PP, Gabsa, W, Cheka, C, Echu, G, Bella, AE, Njock, LR, Fongod, AGN, Ndongo, DU, Leke, RFG, Pondi, JE, Fieggen, G, Shehu, BB, Ayadi, R, Merali, Z, Yusuf, S, Apeagyei, AE, Ranchod, K, Salama, M, Atangana, A, Ngokeu, E, Ndifon, W, Tiahou, G, Tchoua, R, Korsten, L, Ibanez, A, Singh, G, Abdullah, JM, Dhamija, RK, Ihunwo, AO, Mbarika, VWA, Mbah, D, Njamnshi, WY, Ngarka, L, Ahidjo, N, Njitung, C, Siewe Fodjo, JN, Seke Etet, PF, Tsiagadigui, JG, Bissek, ACZK, Bella, AL, Mbanya, JC, Ndjolo, A, Djientcheu, VDP, Ntone, FE, Luma, HN, Mboudou, E, Kasia, JM, Leke, RJI, Um Meka, EN, Ashuntantang, G, Ngaroua, Bum, EN, Njoya, O, Mbacham, WF, Ongolo-Zogo, P, Chabwine, JN, Fongang, B, Vulliemoz, S, Perrig, S, Sztajzel, R, Etya'ale, D, Annoni, JM, Chakraborty, S, Tishkoff, S, Cavazos, JE, Maestre, G, Seshadri, S, Park, KB, Newton, C, Sander, JW, Sen, A, Illes, J, Hannan, AJ, Winkler, AS, Narayan, V, McLaughlin, C, Pyykko, M, Occhipinti, JA, Beck, D, Hiromoto, J, Adorjan, K, Destrebecq, F, Vradenburg, G, Manes, F, Cross, H, Filipescu, D, Hachinski, V, Bassetti, CLA, Scientific Technical Committee, YD & Eyre, HA 2025, 'African leadership in brain diplomacy: The Yaoundé declaration advances the global brain economy playbook for better brain health', Neuroscience, vol. 577, pp. 161-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.04.032

@article{06749ffc9ae2421ea5bdcadc7f64c6ad,

title = "African leadership in brain diplomacy: The Yaound{\'e} declaration advances the global brain economy playbook for better brain health",

abstract = "Africa, the world's second-largest continent is home to 1.5 billion people, accounting for nearly 20% of the global population, (60% under age 25). By 2050, Africa's population will be 2.5 billion, and by 2035, more young Africans will be entering the workforce each year than in the rest of the world combined. Africa also hosts a rich social, cultural, and geopolitical diversity across its 5 geopolitical zones covering 54 countries. It is the most genetically, culturally, and linguistically diverse region on the planet. However, Africa's contribution to the global economy could be more significant if it urgently embraces the brain economy and leads in the development of new methodologies and approaches which can be exported around the world. In this paper, we explain our strategy to advance the Yaound{\'e} Declaration for the Brain Economy, Brain Health, and Brain Capital. The Declaration has been endorsed by Cameroon's President, His Excellency Paul Biya, and demonstrates African leadership in global brain and society innovations, laying out a roadmap for how Africa can outcompete other economies by deftly deploying brain science-inspired policies and investments. We outline a new economic approach for African jobs, economic growth, sustainability, resilience, health, and well-being. The brain economy offers a broader framework than the current sustainable development goals (SDG) agenda. The Yaound{\'e} Declaration is trans-disciplinary and cross-cutting across sectors: 32 sitting members of government from different sectors having co-authored this paper. It aligns with many aspects of the United Nations Pact for the Future and can accelerate the SDG.",

keywords = "Brain Health, Brain capital, Brain economy, Green, digital care and bioeconomy transitions, Neurodiplomacy, Policy",

author = "Njamnshi, {Alfred Kongnyu} and {Fame Ndongo}, Jacques and {Ngoh Ngoh}, Ferdinand and {Mbella Mbella}, Lejeune and Ghogomu, {Paul M.} and Fouda, {S{\'e}raphin M.} and {Ondoa Obama}, {Marie Th{\'e}r{\`e}se A.} and Madeleine Tchuinte and {Ousmane Mey}, Alamine and Malachie Manaouda and {Beti Assomo}, Joseph and Sadi, {Ren{\'e} E.} and Motaze, {Louis Paul} and {Nganou Djoumessi}, Emmanuel and {Li Likeng}, {Minette Libom} and {Nalova Lyonga}, {Pauline E.} and {Etoundi Ngoa}, {Laurent S.} and Mounouna Foutsou and {Mouelle Kombi}, Narcisse and Tchiroma, {Bakary Issa} and Gr{\'e}goire Owona and Ayissi, {Henri Eyebe} and Balungeli, {Confiance Ebune} and Pierre Hele and Fuh, {Calistus G.} and {Fomundam Mbah Acha}, {Rose N.} and {Bidoung Kpwatt}, {Pierre I.} and Felix Mbayu and Tasong, {Paul N.} and Momo, {Jean de Dieu} and Doh, {J{\'e}r{\^o}me P.} and Boniface Bayaola and Kilo, {Vivian A.} and {Abouem {\`a} Tchoyi}, David and Njeuma, {Dorothy L.} and Tamfu, {Simon F.} and Angwafo, {Fru F.} and Chumbow, {Sammy B.} and Etoua, {Remy M.} and Omgba, {Richard L.} and {Ngomo Manga}, Horace and {Tsafack Nanfosso}, Roger and Andrew Chan and Etoa, {Fran{\c c}ois Xavier} and Zambo, {Joseph Marie B.} and Mah, {Evelyn M.} and {Tommo Monthe}, Michel and Salomon Eheth and Churchill Monono and Biffot, {Paul P.} and Wilfred Gabsa and Cosmas Cheka and George Echu and Bella, {Achille E.} and Njock, {Louis Richard} and Fongod, {Augustina G.N.} and Ndongo, {Daniel U.} and Leke, {Rose F.G.} and Pondi, {Jean E.} and Graham Fieggen and Shehu, {Bello B.} and Rym Ayadi and Zul Merali and Sadiq Yusuf and Apeagyei, {Angela Esi} and Kirti Ranchod and Mohamed Salama and Abdon Atangana and Eddy Ngokeu and Wilfred Ndifon and Georges Tiahou and Romain Tchoua and Lise Korsten and Agustin Ibanez and Gagandeep Singh and Abdullah, {Jafri M.} and Dhamija, {Rajinder K.} and Ihunwo, {Amadi O.} and Mbarika, {Victor W.A.} and David Mbah and Njamnshi, {Wepnyu Y.} and Leonard Ngarka and Nene Ahidjo and Caleb Njitung and {Siewe Fodjo}, {Joseph N.} and {Seke Etet}, {Paul F.} and Tsiagadigui, {Jean Gustave} and Bissek, {Anne C{\'e}cile Z.K.} and Bella, {Assumpta L.} and Mbanya, {Jean Claude} and Alexis Ndjolo and Djientcheu, {Vincent de Paul} and Ntone, {Felicien E.} and Luma, {Henry N.} and Emile Mboudou and Kasia, {Jean Marie} and Leke, {Robert J.I.} and {Um Meka}, {Esther Ngo} and Gloria Ashuntantang and Ngaroua and Bum, {Elizabeth Ngo} and Oudou Njoya and Mbacham, {Wilfred F.} and Pierre Ongolo-Zogo and Chabwine, {Joelle N.} and Bernard Fongang and Serge Vulliemoz and Stephen Perrig and Roman Sztajzel and Daniel Etya'ale and Annoni, {Jean Marie} and Sarbani Chakraborty and Sarah Tishkoff and Cavazos, {Jose E.} and Gladys Maestre and Sudha Seshadri and Park, {Kee B.} and Charles Newton and Sander, {J. W.} and Arjune Sen and Judy Illes and Hannan, {Anthony J.} and Winkler, {Andrea S.} and Vaibhav Narayan and Connor McLaughlin and Mika Pyykko and Occhipinti, {Jo An} and Deborah Beck and Julie Hiromoto and Kristina Adorjan and Fr{\'e}d{\'e}ric Destrebecq and George Vradenburg and Facundo Manes and Helen Cross and Daniela Filipescu and Vladimir Hachinski and Bassetti, {Claudio L.A.} and {Scientific Technical Committee}, {Yaound{\'e} Declaration} and Eyre, {Harris A.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025",

year = "2025",

month = jun,

day = "21",

doi = "10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.04.032",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "577",

pages = "161--174",

journal = "Neuroscience",

issn = "0306-4522",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - African leadership in brain diplomacy

T2 - The Yaoundé declaration advances the global brain economy playbook for better brain health

AU - Njamnshi, Alfred Kongnyu

AU - Fame Ndongo, Jacques

AU - Ngoh Ngoh, Ferdinand

AU - Mbella Mbella, Lejeune

AU - Ghogomu, Paul M.

AU - Fouda, Séraphin M.

AU - Ondoa Obama, Marie Thérèse A.

AU - Tchuinte, Madeleine

AU - Ousmane Mey, Alamine

AU - Manaouda, Malachie

AU - Beti Assomo, Joseph

AU - Sadi, René E.

AU - Motaze, Louis Paul

AU - Nganou Djoumessi, Emmanuel

AU - Li Likeng, Minette Libom

AU - Nalova Lyonga, Pauline E.

AU - Etoundi Ngoa, Laurent S.

AU - Foutsou, Mounouna

AU - Mouelle Kombi, Narcisse

AU - Tchiroma, Bakary Issa

AU - Owona, Grégoire

AU - Ayissi, Henri Eyebe

AU - Balungeli, Confiance Ebune

AU - Hele, Pierre

AU - Fuh, Calistus G.

AU - Fomundam Mbah Acha, Rose N.

AU - Bidoung Kpwatt, Pierre I.

AU - Mbayu, Felix

AU - Tasong, Paul N.

AU - Momo, Jean de Dieu

AU - Doh, Jérôme P.

AU - Bayaola, Boniface

AU - Kilo, Vivian A.

AU - Abouem à Tchoyi, David

AU - Njeuma, Dorothy L.

AU - Tamfu, Simon F.

AU - Angwafo, Fru F.

AU - Chumbow, Sammy B.

AU - Etoua, Remy M.

AU - Omgba, Richard L.

AU - Ngomo Manga, Horace

AU - Tsafack Nanfosso, Roger

AU - Chan, Andrew

AU - Etoa, François Xavier

AU - Zambo, Joseph Marie B.

AU - Mah, Evelyn M.

AU - Tommo Monthe, Michel

AU - Eheth, Salomon

AU - Monono, Churchill

AU - Biffot, Paul P.

AU - Gabsa, Wilfred

AU - Cheka, Cosmas

AU - Echu, George

AU - Bella, Achille E.

AU - Njock, Louis Richard

AU - Fongod, Augustina G.N.

AU - Ndongo, Daniel U.

AU - Leke, Rose F.G.

AU - Pondi, Jean E.

AU - Fieggen, Graham

AU - Shehu, Bello B.

AU - Ayadi, Rym

AU - Merali, Zul

AU - Yusuf, Sadiq

AU - Apeagyei, Angela Esi

AU - Ranchod, Kirti

AU - Salama, Mohamed

AU - Atangana, Abdon

AU - Ngokeu, Eddy

AU - Ndifon, Wilfred

AU - Tiahou, Georges

AU - Tchoua, Romain

AU - Korsten, Lise

AU - Ibanez, Agustin

AU - Singh, Gagandeep

AU - Abdullah, Jafri M.

AU - Dhamija, Rajinder K.

AU - Ihunwo, Amadi O.

AU - Mbarika, Victor W.A.

AU - Mbah, David

AU - Njamnshi, Wepnyu Y.

AU - Ngarka, Leonard

AU - Ahidjo, Nene

AU - Njitung, Caleb

AU - Siewe Fodjo, Joseph N.

AU - Seke Etet, Paul F.

AU - Tsiagadigui, Jean Gustave

AU - Bissek, Anne Cécile Z.K.

AU - Bella, Assumpta L.

AU - Mbanya, Jean Claude

AU - Ndjolo, Alexis

AU - Djientcheu, Vincent de Paul

AU - Ntone, Felicien E.

AU - Luma, Henry N.

AU - Mboudou, Emile

AU - Kasia, Jean Marie

AU - Leke, Robert J.I.

AU - Um Meka, Esther Ngo

AU - Ashuntantang, Gloria

AU - Ngaroua,

AU - Bum, Elizabeth Ngo

AU - Njoya, Oudou

AU - Mbacham, Wilfred F.

AU - Ongolo-Zogo, Pierre

AU - Chabwine, Joelle N.

AU - Fongang, Bernard

AU - Vulliemoz, Serge

AU - Perrig, Stephen

AU - Sztajzel, Roman

AU - Etya'ale, Daniel

AU - Annoni, Jean Marie

AU - Chakraborty, Sarbani

AU - Tishkoff, Sarah

AU - Cavazos, Jose E.

AU - Maestre, Gladys

AU - Seshadri, Sudha

AU - Park, Kee B.

AU - Newton, Charles

AU - Sander, J. W.

AU - Sen, Arjune

AU - Illes, Judy

AU - Hannan, Anthony J.

AU - Winkler, Andrea S.

AU - Narayan, Vaibhav

AU - McLaughlin, Connor

AU - Pyykko, Mika

AU - Occhipinti, Jo An

AU - Beck, Deborah

AU - Hiromoto, Julie

AU - Adorjan, Kristina

AU - Destrebecq, Frédéric

AU - Vradenburg, George

AU - Manes, Facundo

AU - Cross, Helen

AU - Filipescu, Daniela

AU - Hachinski, Vladimir

AU - Bassetti, Claudio L.A.

AU - Scientific Technical Committee, Yaoundé Declaration

AU - Eyre, Harris A.

PY - 2025/6/21

Y1 - 2025/6/21

N2 - Africa, the world's second-largest continent is home to 1.5 billion people, accounting for nearly 20% of the global population, (60% under age 25). By 2050, Africa's population will be 2.5 billion, and by 2035, more young Africans will be entering the workforce each year than in the rest of the world combined. Africa also hosts a rich social, cultural, and geopolitical diversity across its 5 geopolitical zones covering 54 countries. It is the most genetically, culturally, and linguistically diverse region on the planet. However, Africa's contribution to the global economy could be more significant if it urgently embraces the brain economy and leads in the development of new methodologies and approaches which can be exported around the world. In this paper, we explain our strategy to advance the Yaoundé Declaration for the Brain Economy, Brain Health, and Brain Capital. The Declaration has been endorsed by Cameroon's President, His Excellency Paul Biya, and demonstrates African leadership in global brain and society innovations, laying out a roadmap for how Africa can outcompete other economies by deftly deploying brain science-inspired policies and investments. We outline a new economic approach for African jobs, economic growth, sustainability, resilience, health, and well-being. The brain economy offers a broader framework than the current sustainable development goals (SDG) agenda. The Yaoundé Declaration is trans-disciplinary and cross-cutting across sectors: 32 sitting members of government from different sectors having co-authored this paper. It aligns with many aspects of the United Nations Pact for the Future and can accelerate the SDG.

AB - Africa, the world's second-largest continent is home to 1.5 billion people, accounting for nearly 20% of the global population, (60% under age 25). By 2050, Africa's population will be 2.5 billion, and by 2035, more young Africans will be entering the workforce each year than in the rest of the world combined. Africa also hosts a rich social, cultural, and geopolitical diversity across its 5 geopolitical zones covering 54 countries. It is the most genetically, culturally, and linguistically diverse region on the planet. However, Africa's contribution to the global economy could be more significant if it urgently embraces the brain economy and leads in the development of new methodologies and approaches which can be exported around the world. In this paper, we explain our strategy to advance the Yaoundé Declaration for the Brain Economy, Brain Health, and Brain Capital. The Declaration has been endorsed by Cameroon's President, His Excellency Paul Biya, and demonstrates African leadership in global brain and society innovations, laying out a roadmap for how Africa can outcompete other economies by deftly deploying brain science-inspired policies and investments. We outline a new economic approach for African jobs, economic growth, sustainability, resilience, health, and well-being. The brain economy offers a broader framework than the current sustainable development goals (SDG) agenda. The Yaoundé Declaration is trans-disciplinary and cross-cutting across sectors: 32 sitting members of government from different sectors having co-authored this paper. It aligns with many aspects of the United Nations Pact for the Future and can accelerate the SDG.

KW - Brain Health

KW - Brain capital

KW - Brain economy

KW - Green, digital care and bioeconomy transitions

KW - Neurodiplomacy

KW - Policy

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105005413982&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=105005413982&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.04.032

DO - 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.04.032

M3 - Article

C2 - 40339899

AN - SCOPUS:105005413982

SN - 0306-4522

VL - 577

SP - 161

EP - 174

JO - Neuroscience

JF - Neuroscience

ER -

African leadership in brain diplomacy: The Yaoundé declaration advances the global brain economy playbook for better brain health

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