The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched AGARI, the Africa Genome Archiving for Response and Insight platform, to enable researchers across the continent to share vital genomic data on disease-causing pathogens. Developed in partnership with the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) and Member States, AGARI provides a secure, continent-wide system for archiving, analysing, and sharing genomic sequencing information, allowing countries to make faster and more informed public health decisions.
AGARI responds to the rapid expansion of genomic sequencing capacity in Africa. While only seven countries could perform basic sequencing in 2019, 46 countries now have this capability, significantly improving the continent’s ability to detect and respond to outbreaks such as Mpox, cholera, Ebola, Marburg, and antimicrobial resistance. The platform encourages collaboration, enabling countries to learn from each other and strengthen outbreak response across Africa.
Coordinated by the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI) and developed by African experts, AGARI functions as a central hub for genomic data and related information. It supports real-time pathogen detection, accelerates public health decision-making, and ensures that African Union Member States maintain control over their genomic data for effective use in public health action.
The platform has been co-developed with Member States over seven years, prioritizing national sovereignty while promoting collaborative disease response. Experts highlight that genomics underpins laboratory systems by driving disease surveillance, outbreak detection, diagnostics, and health coverage. AGARI addresses challenges such as reductions in external funding by providing an integrated, secure, and resource-optimising platform that maximises the value of genomic data.
AGARI is also seen as a catalyst for Africa’s bioeconomy, supporting biobanking networks, data archiving, and pathogen access and benefit-sharing mechanisms. The platform empowers the continent to sustain critical laboratory services while fostering trust, collaboration, and innovation in public health intelligence.
According to ASLM CEO Nqobile Ndlovu, AGARI represents Africa’s ownership of its genomic future, transforming shared data into collective strength and enabling the continent to harness its scientific capacity to drive innovation, protect public health, and respond effectively to disease threats.
