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Genetic studies of human disease are more challenging to perform in sub-Saharan Africa because genetic diversity is greater than in other populations. This pilot will increase our understanding of African genome variation and enable the design of large-scale genetic association studies in the region. Studies into the genetic basis of disease in European populations have made major advances in the past few years, yet similar studies in sub-Saharan Africa have been slower to develop. The high level of genetic diversity that exists in populations from sub-Saharan Africa makes genetic associations with disease more difficult to identify. The African Genome Variation Project aims to collect essential information about the structure of African genomes to provide a basic framework for genetic disease studies in Africa.