MRC, Gambia unit is extending its research activities and impact in the region by developing research network with regional research institutions. MRC has enabled the support of these networks through external grant funding that primarily assist to empower these local institutions in building skills and capacity in order to embark on collaborative research and joint clinical trials. A consortium called WAPHIR (West Africa Platform for HIV Intervention Research -2010-2014) funded by GHRI/IDRC is created between MRC, the Laboratoire Bacteriologie-Virologie (LBV) of University Cheikh Anta Dio (UCAD) of Senegal and the Institute of Public Health Laboratory and Research/Bandim Health Project (INASA/BHP) of Guinea Bissau. It is embarking on Capacity strengthening through work packages that include a unified HIV cohort resource database network; clinical trial support and training; laboratory resource management and skill training; postgraduate training; network and communication training. Individual institutional cohort data resources from partners of the consortium are migrated into a centralised network server and training for the operation of the unified system was carried out, making a significant contribution towards the establishment of a regional HIV platform for supporting clinical trials and intervention research. Another network called WANETAM and WANETAM plus (West African Network for TB AIDS and Malaria 2009-2013) are funded By EDCTP and comprised of wider regional partnership (Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal). This network is building expertise in clinical trials for HIV, TB and Malaria. Research has started for HIV-2 pathogenesis in the network.