PhageAfrica emerged from the Africa Phage Forum (APF), which was initiated in 2021 by three early- and mid-career researchers: Dr Emmanuel Nnadi, Juliah Khayeli Akhwale, and Dr Ritah Nakayinga.

APF was established to address the limited expertise and infrastructure available for phage research and to build a sustainable phage network across Africa. The network was coordinated by senior and emerging phage researchers, including Dr Emmanuel Nnadi, Dr Ritah Nakayinga, Dr Angela Makumi, and Dr Noutin Michodigni (Chief Event Organizer), with the support of country representatives in Kenya (Ivy Mutai), Uganda (Ivy Chimulwa), and Egypt (Fatma Abdelrahman).

Through webinars, virtual symposia, conference participation, and training opportunities, APF created an active platform for scientific exchange, collaboration, and mentorship. The network also partnered with established research institutions to provide scholarships and capacity-building opportunities for African students.

These achievements were made possible through the support of Dr Atunga Nyachieo, Dr Lillian Musila, Prof. Jesca Nakavuma, Prof. Ayman El-Shibiny, and Dr Jessica Sacher (Phage Directory). Over time, APF grew into a vibrant community of more than 400 members across Africa.

In June 2025, APF was officially rebranded as PhageAfrica. Alongside this transition, a new leadership structure was established, comprising an Executive Committee, Communication and Community Engagement Team, Country Representatives, Mentorship Team, Phage Genomics and Bioinformatics Team, and an Advisory Board.