In partnership with Rockefeller Foundation, ThinkWell provided catalyzing support to facilitate the development of a network of African institutions to improve the uptake of health systems and policy research in policymaking and practice. ThinkWell mapped the terrain of institutions and networks engaged in health research, analyzed their capacities, identified gaps and opportunities, and created a pan-African steering committee to address the evidence-to-policy gap. The steering group brought together academic institutions, government bodies, regional economic communities, civil society organizations, and the African Union. At the end of one year, ThinkWell successfully transitioned leadership to five core African partners.