France and Africa CDC forge strategic partnership to bolster public health and security across the continent

ETHIOPIA —The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the government of France have entered into a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) in a step towards advancing public health in Africa.

The signing ceremony, held at the Africa CDC Secretariat Offices in Addis Ababa, marked the initiation of a collaborative journey with far-reaching implications for the continent’s healthcare landscape.

H.E Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, and Rémi Maréchaux, Ambassador of France to Ethiopia, proudly penned their signatures on this transformative agreement, cementing a commitment to strengthening public health systems and fortifying health security throughout Africa.

The MoU encompasses an array of vital initiatives designed to elevate the continent’s capacity to address pressing healthcare challenges and promote equitable access to healthcare resources.

One of the paramount objectives of this partnership is to bolster Africa CDC’s capabilities, propelling the organization into a front of healthcare innovation.

It seeks to cultivate the development of national public health institutes, enhancing their potential to tackle emerging health threats effectively.

Furthermore, the collaboration aims to elevate disease surveillance and emergency response capacities, an essential component in safeguarding the well-being of African populations.

A landmark aspect of this MoU revolves around the promotion of local manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

By fostering self-reliance in healthcare production, the partners aspire to reduce dependency on external sources and ensure that Africa’s healthcare needs are met with efficiency and timeliness.

Education and skill development form a pivotal facet of this partnership, with dedicated efforts directed at workforce training.

The agreement recognizes the importance of nurturing a highly skilled healthcare workforce capable of addressing complex health challenges.

Moreover, the MoU serves as a bridge between French and African institutions, fostering research collaborations that are poised to yield groundbreaking advancements in the field of public health.

As H.E Dr. Jean Kaseya eloquently expressed, “The signing of this MoU solidifies our shared vision in nurturing a coordinated global response to global public health challenges.”

It represents an action-oriented framework that propels Africa towards a new era of healthcare resilience, setting the stage for enhanced health workforce development and robust public health systems, all with the ultimate aim of benefiting every African citizen.

France’s involvement in bolstering public health in Africa has been steadfast. The nation has played a pivotal role in initiatives such as the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and has generously contributed millions of vaccine doses to facilitate equitable access across the continent.

France’s financial support, technical expertise, and extensive commitments to health programs in Africa have been instrumental in advancing healthcare systems.

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