Africa CDC establishes African Strategic Advisory Group on Genomics to improve health security across Africa

AFRICA—Africa CDC has launched the African Strategic Advisory Group on Genomics (ASAG), a continental advisory body established to provide independent, multidisciplinary technical guidance on genomics governance and implementation across Africa.

The initiative strengthens the integration of genomics into public health systems, including disease surveillance, outbreak response, precision public health, and the development of medical countermeasures.

By bringing together leading experts, Africa CDC seeks to ensure ethical and responsible use of genomics while promoting African leadership, ownership, and equitable benefit-sharing across all programmes.

Advancing genomics governance in Africa

ASAG will advise the Africa CDC on strategic priorities, harmonised standards, capacity building, data governance, ethics, technology transfer, intellectual property, and partnerships.

It will also support the agency in strengthening the frameworks that guide the use of pathogen and human genomics to address Africa’s health challenges.

In addition, the group will align genomic tools with broader health system needs, including preparedness for emerging infectious diseases and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, while enhancing coordination among Member States and scientific institutions across the continent.

Building on continental genomics progress

Africa has made significant progress through the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative, expanding sequencing capacity, strengthening laboratory networks, and improving bioinformatics systems.

These investments have supported surveillance and response efforts for diseases such as mpox, cholera, antimicrobial resistance, and malaria.

Building on this foundation, ASAG will consolidate gains while guiding the responsible expansion of genomics applications across public health systems.

The group will also support translation of genomic data into actionable insights for disease prevention and control.

Alignment with Africa’s Health Security Agenda

ASAG aligns with Africa CDC’s Africa Health Security and Sovereignty agenda, prioritising resilient institutions, sustainable financing, digital transformation, pooled procurement, and local manufacturing of health technologies.

Through this alignment, the group will contribute to strengthening continental preparedness and response capacity while supporting long-term health system resilience.

It will also ensure genomics contributes to equitable access to healthcare innovations across African Union Member States and supports improved integration of advanced technologies into routine public health practice.

Composition and leadership of ASAG

The inaugural eight-member ASAG brings together experts in pathogen genomics, human genomics, bioinformatics, clinical genetics, precision medicine, ethics, and public health.

Members include Professors Christian Happi, Ambroise Wonkam, Leon Mutesa, Tulio de Oliveira, Ghada El-Kamah, Nicky Mulder, Charles Rotimi, and Dr Yosr Hamdi.

In its first meeting, the group elected Prof. Christian Happi as Chair and Prof. Ghada El-Kamah as Co-Chair to guide its work across continental programmes.

Operating principles and mandate

ASAG will function as an independent advisory mechanism under Africa CDC, operating with transparency, accountability, scientific integrity, inclusivity, and equity.

Members will serve in their personal capacities and provide non-binding recommendations to inform continental genomics strategies.

The Africa CDC retains responsibility for prioritisation and implementation decisions, ensuring trust, scientific rigour, and coordinated action across diverse health systems.

Recent developments and strategic focus

In recent updates, Africa CDC has reinforced regional laboratory expansion and digital surveillance systems, alongside workforce training in genomics and bioinformatics.

These efforts complement ASAG by strengthening data-driven public health decision-making and supporting continental readiness for emerging health threats.

Operations will emphasize transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and equity to strengthen trust in continental genomics governance.

Advancing genomics for public health impact

ASAG will guide efforts to integrate genomic science into disease surveillance systems, outbreak preparedness, and precision public health strategies.

ASAG aims to support innovation to strengthen health systems, enhance early detection of health threats, and promote equitable access to genomic technologies across the continent.