The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) was established by the UK Medical Research Foundation to invest in talented, emerging researchers in Africa. We nurture African health research at its most vulnerable points by supporting and developing early-career researchers. Our vision is growing the community of African researchers who will deliver excellent research in Africa, for Africa. Growing the next generation of potential research leaders will help institutions in Africa increase their capability to carry out excellent research. This will help inform health care practitioners and policy makers, and ultimately will benefit patients and populations across the continent and globally.