Africa secures USD234M in Pandemic Fund approvals at Kigali meeting

RWANDA — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) participated in the Pandemic Fund Board Meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 17 to 19, 2025.

The gathering brought together global partners to advance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response efforts across the continent.

The Pandemic Fund stands as the world’s leading financing mechanism dedicated to strengthening health security systems.

The fund directs approximately 50% of its global investments toward building core capacities in African countries, demonstrating a significant commitment to the continent’s health infrastructure.

Africa CDC works continuously to ensure African Union Member States mobilize stronger domestic resources while securing complementary, predictable, and better-aligned external financing from global partners.

This approach aligns with the vision of H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, Africa’s Champion for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, who champions the continent’s health security and sovereignty.

During the meeting, the Pandemic Fund approved USD500 million in total funding through its Third Call for Proposals.

Africa will receive USD234 million of this amount, representing 47% of all approved proposals.

This substantial allocation confirms Africa’s growing leadership in health security investments and demonstrates the continent’s enhanced capacity to design high-quality, technically robust proposals.

H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, emphasized the practical importance of this funding during the event.

“Preparedness is not an abstract concept; it is the difference between an outbreak contained and a crisis that spreads,” he stated.

The approved funding will help countries build systems that keep communities safe, particularly in cross-border areas where health risks are highest.

Dr. Kaseya appreciated the consensus reached by the Board and the trust placed in proposals submitted by Member States.

He affirmed that Africa CDC will continue supporting countries to transform these resources into stronger capacities on the ground.

The continent has witnessed significant improvements in both the technical quality of proposals and the overall volume of financing secured since Africa CDC and WHO established a joint mechanism to support AU Member States.

This progress reflects stronger national leadership and growing confidence from global financing partners.

Africa CDC commended the collaborative efforts of all Pandemic Fund Board Members.

As Co-Chair of the G20 High-Level Independent Panel, Dr. Kaseya worked closely with Board Members to facilitate constructive dialogue and develop scenarios that ensured all donors, including the United States, could reaffirm their full commitment to the Fund’s mission.

Africa CDC reiterates its commitment to work with the Pandemic Fund, global partners, and AU Member States to continue building a safer, better-prepared, and more sovereign Africa.