Africa CDC secures US$220.6M Pandemic Fund grant for Ebola

ETHIOPIA—The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has welcomed a US$220.6 million emergency financing package from the Pandemic Fund to accelerate efforts to contain the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak and strengthen preparedness in Central and Eastern Africa.

The funding will directly support containment operations while strengthening health systems in countries facing heightened risk of cross-border transmission.

The financial package will also advance implementation of the joint Africa CDC–World Health Organization (WHO) Continental Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which coordinates regional action across surveillance, clinical care, logistics, and emergency coordination.

The plan focuses on containing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda while preventing further regional spread.

Coordinated continental strategy underway

The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has triggered heightened concern after confirmed cross-border transmission, prompting the Africa CDC and the WHO to declare the outbreak a major public health emergency in May 2026.

In response, the continental plan prioritizes rapid detection, laboratory confirmation, infection prevention, and strengthened border health systems.

Moreover, the strategy integrates community engagement, risk communication, and workforce capacity building to ensure a coordinated and sustained response across multiple countries.

These include the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Kenya, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo.

Funding breakdown and implementation approach

According to the Pandemic Fund, US$175.7 million will be mobilized through the reprogramming of existing health projects in affected and high-risk countries.

These resources will support urgent response activities such as surveillance expansion, laboratory strengthening, and cross-border coordination.

In addition, US$44.9 million will be released through accelerated financing channels to support preparedness and rapid response efforts, particularly in Uganda, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo.

Countries and regional institutions will allocate resources based on identified gaps and operational priorities to ensure efficiency in implementation.

The funding complements the broader US$465 million Africa CDC–WHO Continental Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which is already being rolled out across the region.

The six-month plan focuses on emergency coordination, logistics support, clinical management, research activities, and continuity of essential health services alongside outbreak response.

Africa CDC emphasizes early action and collaboration

Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya noted that the financing strengthens ongoing response operations and enhances preparedness systems across the continent.

He emphasized that the investment reflects the importance of early intervention, collective action, and sustained investment in national and regional health capacities.

He further stated that the support demonstrates growing global recognition of coordinated, country-led response frameworks that prioritize shared responsibility and rapid action.

In recent briefings, Africa CDC has continued to highlight the importance of strengthening laboratory networks and expanding trained rapid response teams to improve outbreak detection and containment capacity.

Strengthening regional health security systems

The financing will also reinforce critical pillars of outbreak control, including disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, infection prevention and control, and cross-border coordination mechanisms.

Health authorities will tailor implementation strategies based on country-specific needs while maintaining alignment with the continental response framework.

As part of ongoing coordination efforts, Africa CDC and partner agencies continue to work with national ministries of health to streamline data sharing, improve border mobility screening, and ensure the rapid deployment of emergency health workers across affected regions.