Africa CDC and its strategic health partners in Central Africa have developed a joint roadmap for 2026–2027 aimed at strengthening regional health security. This initiative responds to the region’s ongoing vulnerability to recurring and long-lasting health crises, including the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases. These challenges highlight the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach, as no single country can manage cross-border health threats in isolation.
From June 16 to 18, 2025, Africa CDC convened a strategic planning workshop in Equatorial Guinea, bringing together representatives from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Organisation for Coordination in the Fight Against Endemic Diseases in Central Africa (OCEAC), and other institutional and technical bodies. The event focused on enhancing collaboration between Africa CDC, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and public health institutions to bolster regional preparedness, response, and prevention strategies.
The newly consolidated 2026–2027 roadmap outlines a coordinated and sustainable framework for addressing public health emergencies. It aligns with key strategies, including the Africa CDC Strategic Plan 2023–2027, the New Public Health Order for Africa, regional preparedness and response strategies, the ECCAS One Health Platform (2025–2029), and OCEAC’s Five-Year Strategic Plan (2023–2027). This roadmap serves as a unified regional response mechanism that integrates cross-border disease surveillance and the One Health approach.
A new coordination and monitoring framework has been proposed to ensure the successful implementation, evaluation, and accountability of joint health security actions across the region. It emphasizes synergy among stakeholders and establishes mechanisms to track progress and align efforts.
Key recommendations from the workshop include developing collaboration protocols among institutions, involving Africa CDC’s Central Africa Regional Coordinating Centre as a technical observer in relevant REC meetings, and enhancing the health planning and coordination capacities of Member States. These measures aim to institutionalize cooperation and ensure that health security initiatives are well-integrated into the broader regional health governance landscape.
