The Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa (SASA) continues with its mission to advance science, improve health, and promote economic and social development on the African continent. It serves to push for continent-wide African innovation and new frontiers of scientific research. Its fifth annual conference was held jointly with the University of Rwanda under the theme "Translational Science and Biotechnology Advances in Africa".This volume provides a selection of papers presented at the conference, encompassing diverse fields including biomedical sciences, health research, agricultural and soil sciences, advances in minimal invasive surgery, disease surveillance, pharmaceutical sciences, and genetics and genomics. The diversity of participants and spirited presentations covering over a dozen fields and sub-fields is indeed a true reflection of the tangible advancement of science in Africa.