AFRICA-FINGERS is the first major brain health study of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over five years, it will involve 600 older adults in Kenya and Nigeria, aiming to reduce the risk of dementia through lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, regular exercise, and mental and social engagement.

This is a pioneering effort because no similar dementia prevention trials have been conducted in this region before, even though the number of people living with dementia in Africa is expected to grow rapidly. By 2050, more than 60 percent of people with dementia worldwide will live in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The project focuses on prevention. We know that brain diseases like Alzheimer’s often begin 15 to 25 years before symptoms appear, which gives us a chance to take action early. Research shows that reducing common risk factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, and diabetes can make a big difference.

AFRICA-FINGERS is being built with communities, not just for them. Local leaders and health experts are helping to design the program to make sure it works in both urban and rural settings. It will be tested in Nairobi and Kilifi in Kenya, and in Lagos and Anambra in Nigeria.
What makes this study powerful is that it brings together science, culture, and real-world health needs. The goal is not only to improve brain health but also to create a practical, community-based model that can be used across Africa and among African diaspora communities globally.