This week, the Capacity Development of Applied Epidemiologists (CDAE) Dissemination and Closeout Workshop, supported by EDCTP, is underway. A consortium between Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Amref International University, and African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) has successfully graduated 15 fellows from Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Somalia, and Zambia with Master of Science degrees in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Epi fellows continue to showcase their achievements and will develop a short course curriculum. This partnership nurtures epidemiologists driving Africa’s health transformation. These trailblazers, equipped with advanced skills, are ready to enhance disease preparedness, improve surveillance, and strengthen outbreak response in National Public Health Institutes (NPIs) and Ministries of Health. JOOUST remains committed to impactful research and training that builds resilient health systems in Eastern Africa. Congratulations to the first cohort of Epi Fellows!