EAC launches Phase III of Regional Disease Laboratory Network with German support

TANZANIA—The East African Community (EAC) has officially launched Phase III of its Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases Project.

This new phase, running from July 2025 to July 2028, is supported by a grant of 12 million euros (US$12.9 million) provided by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW, the German Development Bank.

The project is designed to address the persistent challenges posed by communicable diseases and to enhance the EAC’s readiness for health emergencies.

By strengthening laboratory capacities across the region, the initiative will enable faster and more accurate detection of disease outbreaks, which is crucial for effective containment and management.

This aligns with the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Since its inception in 2017, the EAC’s laboratory network has played a pivotal role in responding to more than 53 disease outbreaks, including Ebola, Marburg, Rift Valley fever, Dengue, Measles/Rubella, Covid-19, and various enteric pathogens.

The project’s earlier phases laid the groundwork for this success. Phase I focused on establishing a regional network of nine mobile laboratories for rapid detection of infectious diseases like Ebola and Marburg.

Phase II expanded efforts to monitor antimicrobial resistance and included the procurement of six additional mobile lab units and 18 sequencing units.

Phase III will build on these achievements with four main components. 

First, it will operationalize the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Virology at the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

The project will also upgrade the existing network of mobile laboratories to support both human and animal health sectors, reflecting the One Health philosophy.

Additionally, joint conferences will be facilitated between human and animal health laboratories to foster collaboration.

Genomic surveillance capabilities will be strengthened at both national and regional levels, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will be integrated into the EAC’s mobile laboratory network.

Furthermore, eight new mobile laboratory units dedicated to animal health will be procured to reinforce pandemic prevention and control.

Speaking during the launch event in Arusha, Tanzania, Hon. Beatrice Askul Moe, Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for EAC Affairs, emphasized the importance of joint efforts among partner states for both communicable and non-communicable disease control.

She highlighted the critical role of rapid and accurate laboratory detection in managing outbreaks that affect humans, animals, and the environment.

Hon. Moe also acknowledged the significant progress made, particularly in diagnostic services, which has contributed to the region’s ability to combat diseases such as COVID-19, Mpox, Marburg, and Ebola.

EAC Secretary General Hon. Veronica Nduva noted that the deployment of mobile laboratories to outbreak hotspots has reduced the time from sample collection to result release, enabling better patient management and more effective disease surveillance.

She added that the project’s success is also helping to ease cross-border movement and boost trade within the EAC Common Market by ensuring safer public health conditions.

Representing the German government, Ms. Julia Kronberg, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Tanzania, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to strengthening regional health security in East Africa.

She described the launch of Phase III as a milestone in the longstanding partnership between Germany and the EAC, further enhancing pandemic preparedness and response across the region.

Looking ahead, the EAC Secretariat plans to extend support by strengthening laboratory capacities at subnational levels and improving regulatory preparedness, including regional pooled procurement.

These efforts are complemented by global developments such as the recent consensus on a global Pandemic Agreement, which aims to further fortify health security worldwide.

The EAC’s laboratory network now spans Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, ensuring a coordinated and robust response to health threats across East Africa.

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