The African Union (AU) and the European Commission have launched three new health initiatives valued at over €100 million, aimed at strengthening Africa’s health systems, improving pandemic preparedness, and expanding digital healthcare solutions across the continent.
The programmes, implemented through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, form part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and underscore a renewed commitment to advancing health security and equitable access to healthcare in Africa.
High-Level Launch and Strategic Commitment
The initiatives were unveiled at a high-level ceremony in Addis Ababa, attended by key stakeholders including the Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya; the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, H.E. Jozef Síkela; and Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, H.E. Mekdes Daba.
Speaking at the event, Síkela emphasised the strategic importance of resilient health systems, stating that “strong health systems are a pillar of security – as important as energy or supply chains.” He added that the initiatives would enhance Africa’s capacity to detect and respond to health threats while managing its own priorities.
Driving Africa’s Health Sovereignty Agenda
Kaseya highlighted the significance of the partnership in advancing Africa’s long-term health goals, noting that the collaboration is transforming shared commitments into concrete action.
“Through the Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda, Africa is strengthening its capacity to build resilient health systems, improve preparedness, and reduce dependency,” he said.
The initiatives align with Africa’s broader push to produce, finance, and manage its healthcare priorities independently, reinforcing continental resilience against future health emergencies.
Focus Areas of the New Initiatives
The newly launched programmes will be implemented at both continental and regional levels, with targeted interventions in selected AU Member States. Key focus areas include:
- Strengthening National Public Health Institutes to improve disease surveillance, early warning systems, laboratory services, and emergency response capabilities across 10 countries.
- Enhancing health security through a One Health approach, particularly in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and developing a skilled health workforce.
- Expanding digital health solutions to improve pandemic preparedness and primary healthcare delivery in six countries.
Collaborative Implementation Framework
The initiatives will be executed in collaboration with AU Member States and international partners, including the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, International Center for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions, African Society for Laboratory Medicine, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, among others.
Africa CDC will serve as the central coordinating body, ensuring effective implementation and alignment with continental health priorities.
Background: Strengthening AU–EU Health Cooperation
The latest development builds on a long-standing AU–EU partnership that continues to play a critical role in strengthening resilient health systems across Africa. The collaboration has been reinforced through key engagements such as the 7th AU–EU Summit and subsequent health partnership meetings.
Under the Global Gateway strategy, the EU has significantly increased investments in Africa’s healthcare sector, particularly in local vaccine production and pharmaceutical supply chains, in line with Africa CDC’s strategic agenda.
Marking over 25 years of cooperation, the AU–EU partnership remains a cornerstone of multilateral efforts to address global health challenges, advancing shared priorities across development, security, and sustainability.
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