Africa CDC, European Union launch USD108M Global Gateway health initiatives

ETHIOPIA—The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the European Commission, has unveiled a €100 million (US$108 million) health package.

Funded under the Global Gateway strategy, these three initiatives aim to decentralise health security and strengthen pandemic preparedness across Africa.

The new programmes aim to reinforce national public health institutes, improve health security, and expand digital health solutions that support pandemic preparedness and primary healthcare services.

The investment reflects growing cooperation between Africa and Europe as both regions seek stronger, more resilient healthcare systems.

The initiatives were unveiled during a high-level event attended by Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela, and Ethiopia’s Minister of Health Mekdes Daba, together with representatives from AU and EU member states as well as international partners.

Focus on stronger health systems

The partnership aligns with Africa CDC’s Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda, which seeks to help African countries build stronger systems that can prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats while reducing reliance on external support.

Commissioner Síkela said resilient health systems are now as critical to global security as energy and supply chains.

He noted that the new initiatives will help African countries improve outbreak detection, respond more quickly to pandemics, and better manage their own health priorities.

Dr. Kaseya also highlighted the growing importance of AU-EU cooperation in healthcare. He said Africa and Europe increasingly share common priorities around global health, equitable access to care, and emergency preparedness.

According to him, the partnership is helping transform commitments into practical action across the continent.

Support for National Public Health Institutes

A major part of the funding will strengthen National Public Health Institutes in 10 AU member states.

These institutions play a central role in disease surveillance, laboratory services, emergency response, research, and early warning systems.

By investing in these core public health functions, the partnership aims to improve national readiness for future outbreaks while supporting routine healthcare operations.

The programs will operate at both continental and regional levels, while also delivering targeted support within participating countries.

One health and antimicrobial resistance

Another key pillar of the new package focuses on health security through a One Health approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health.

This model has gained momentum globally because many infectious diseases emerge at the intersection of people, animals, and ecosystems.

The initiative will support prevention, detection, and response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the world’s fastest-growing health threats.

It will also strengthen workforce development and technical capacity, building on commitments announced during the One Health Summit held on April 7.

Expanding digital health across Africa

The partnership will also expand digital health systems in six AU member states.

These investments are expected to improve disease monitoring, emergency coordination, and access to primary healthcare services.

Digital tools can help countries track outbreaks in real time, improve patient data systems, and connect underserved communities to healthcare providers more efficiently.

Broad international collaboration

Africa CDC will lead implementation and coordination of the initiatives alongside AU member states, Team Europe, and several technical partners.

These include the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the International Center for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The launch also supports the European Commission’s upcoming Global Health Resilience Initiative, expected later this year.

The AU-EU health partnership has expanded over more than 25 years and remains focused on strengthening public health capacity, local vaccine manufacturing, pharmaceutical supply chains, workforce development, and digital innovation across Africa.