In this episode of Paul Talks Science, Dr. Paul Adepoju sits down with Professor Christian Happi—molecular biologist, genomic trailblazer, and one of TIME’s 100 most influential people. From his pioneering work on Ebola and COVID-19 to his vision for translating African genomic data into diagnostics and therapeutics, Prof. Happi shares insights on what it takes to build sustainable science ecosystems in Africa.

They delve into the challenges and opportunities in global health equity, the impact of shifting international research funding, and why local innovation and scientific sovereignty are no longer optional for the continent. This is a conversation about consistency, leadership, and the urgent need for Africa to invest in—and trust—its own scientific capabilities.