The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) welcomed the outcomes of the One Health Summit held in Lyon, France, as a defining moment for the continent’s role in global health. African leaders, including H.E. John Mahama and H.E. Duma Boko, ensured that Africa’s priorities under the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda were prominently represented. The Summit marked Africa’s shift from being on the margins of global health to actively shaping its future.
Africa CDC became a signatory to the “One Health & Beyond: Multi-stakeholder Declaration,” joining a coalition of countries and organizations including the WHO, FAO, and CGIAR. The declaration represents a commitment to coordinated global responses to emerging health threats at the human-animal-environment interface, emphasizing collaboration between nations and institutions.
Significant investments were announced to support Africa’s health security leadership. The European Union pledged €96.5 million, including €46.5 million for a programme to strengthen antimicrobial resistance (AMR) response and build a resilient One Health workforce across Africa. An additional €50 million will fund research and development to accelerate new medical countermeasures against AMR and climate-sensitive diseases, enhancing global preparedness.
Africa CDC highlighted AMR as one of Africa’s most urgent health threats, alongside climate-related risks. The agency welcomed $166 million in support from the Green Climate Fund and the Global Fund to develop climate-resilient health systems, as well as $40 million from the Pandemic Fund for its One Health programme. These investments aim to improve surveillance, laboratory capacity, and overall system resilience.
The Summit emphasized partnerships that respect Africa’s priorities, systems, and leadership. Africa CDC underscored the importance of aligning global health initiatives with African ownership to ensure coordinated, effective action. Upcoming engagements include discussions at the African High-Level Ministerial Committee, Africa Forward, and the AMR Summit, where these commitments will be advanced further.
As the public health agency of the African Union, Africa CDC supports member states in strengthening health systems, enhancing disease surveillance, and improving emergency preparedness and response, positioning Africa as a proactive leader in global health.
