The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have formalized their collaboration by signing their first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen health security across Africa and Europe. The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa by H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, and ECDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner, during a two-day visit by Dr. Rendi-Wagner and her team of ECDC experts.
The MoU builds on a decade of informal cooperation and establishes a structured framework for enhanced collaboration in critical areas such as disease surveillance, risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and response. Joint actions will also address antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases, and emerging health threats. The partnership will further support collaboration on data analytics, modelling, laboratory capabilities, workforce development, and public health training.
H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya emphasized that infectious diseases cross borders, and an interconnected response is essential. He highlighted that the partnership strengthens capacities for timely surveillance, skilled public health workforce, robust preparedness, and institutions capable of rapid action, ultimately building resilience and protecting communities across Africa. ECDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner noted that the agreement represents a significant advancement for global health security and stressed the importance of strong partnerships to tackle emerging health challenges collectively.
The agreement follows the successful conclusion of a five-year partnership project funded by the European Commission, which focused on capacity-building in preparedness, surveillance, and workforce development. Building on this foundation, ECDC and Africa CDC will continue their collaboration through a new five-year action beginning in May 2026 under the Team Europe Initiative, focusing on fighting antimicrobial resistance and strengthening the One Health approach in Africa, in collaboration with EFSA.
Through coordinated technical exchange and epidemic intelligence, the partnership aims to bolster public health systems across Africa and Europe, contributing to a stronger global health security network.
Africa CDC, as the public health agency of the African Union, works autonomously to support member states in enhancing health systems, disease surveillance, and emergency preparedness and response.
