Precision oncology without borders: the role of biobanking in integrating Africa’s genetic diversity into global genomic research

Abstract

Cancer mortality in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double by 2030. African populations exhibit the highest genetic diversity worldwide, impacting cancer susceptibility, tumor biology, and therapeutic response, yet remain critically underrepresented in biomedical research. This narrative review examines biobanking and genomic research infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa and its implications for precision oncology, highlighting that locally governed, sustainable biobanks and equitable international partnerships are fundamental prerequisites for Precision Oncology Without Borders.