Prof Cristina Stefan, the new President of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), has just published an editorial with ecancermedicalscience on the progress which was made at AORTIC's latest conference, held in Marrakesh in November 2015.

The Marrakesh meeting brought together scientists from more than 42 countries around the world in more than 112 sessions and included early morning roundtables, keynote lectures, plenary sessions, and poster and oral presentations on a large range of subjects.   Research results and scientific developments in Africa were showcased, along with new ideas, a range of interesting views, and great opportunities for networking.

Prof Stefan describes the different elements of this valuable conference, and goes on to answer the important question: “Can Africa in the 21st century make the substantial contribution to science which is so much needed?”

Read the full editorial here and watch our coverage of the AORTIC 2015 conference.