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Understanding the complex interplay between genetics and disease in diverse populations has become increasingly crucial in population genomics. This study area has provided valuable insights into human genetic diversity and potential paths for tailored healthcare. Africa, with its deep evolutionary history and rich genetic diversity, reflects its status as the origin of modern humans and represents an important frontier for unravelling novel genetic discoveries with great potential for advancing our knowledge of human biology and susceptibility to disease, offering an optimistic outlook for the future of genomic studies and precision medicine [–]. Whole genome sequencing of 426 individuals representing 50 ethnolinguistic groups across 13 African countries, resulted in the discovery of over 3 million previously unknown genetic variants []. However, there remains severe underrepresentation of African genomics in the global genomic data which has had far-reaching consequences, limiting gene discovery, understanding of disease biology, and the global efforts towards translational research. This represents a missed opportunity for precision medicine, not only for the African populations but also the global populations. Large-scale population-based biobanks have been a rich resource for advancing genomic medicine and enhancing public health. However, most of the genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have primarily involved individuals of European ancestry (largely from Iceland, the UK, and the USA), who account for 86% of participants in GWAS Catalog. [, –]. Also, genomic biobanks, such as the UK biobank and the deCODE database, comprise mainly individuals of European ancestry. This lack of genetic diversity poses a significant limitation to the progression of personalised genomic medicine and worsens health disparities. Findings from European populations may not be replicable or transferable to others [, ] due to poor predictive accuracy of genetic models/scores in populations with diverse ancestries. Despite increasing awareness about genomic diversity and inclusion, and notable progress made through the inclusion of individuals of African ancestry in many genomic research initiatives [–], generation of large-scale datasets from the African populations continues to lag and significant gaps persist. Even with the Eurocentric bias in the published GWAS, African-ancestry populations account for approximately 7% of all genotype–phenotype associations, indicating that inclusion of individuals of African ancestry can enhance identification of novel disease-causing variants []. How can we claim progress in global health when Africa—a continent with a median age of 19 and over 1.5 billion people []—remains underrepresented? Prioritising and expanding data collection from individuals of African ancestry is ethically, morally and economically imperative and can foster more equitable health solutions that benefit everyone. This review highlights the opportunities presented by African genomic diversity, the urgent need for larger datasets and biobanks with a wide range of phenotypes from African populations, and recent developments in African genomic research.