Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged African Union member states to step up their support for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), calling for collective efforts to elevate the agency into a world-class continental public health institution.
Speaking during a visit to the Africa CDC headquarters in Addis Ababa on Friday, Abiy met with Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya and emphasized the agency’s pivotal role in disease prevention, epidemic preparedness, and research across the continent.
“It is incumbent upon us to fortify this institution in collaboration with partners,” Abiy said. “I call upon fellow African leaders to join efforts in establishing our continental public health agency as a premier institution, fully committed to advancing health across the continent.”
Africa CDC was launched by the African Union in 2017, with the aim of strengthening Africa’s health systems and improving the ability of countries to respond to health emergencies. The agency’s new headquarters, constructed with funding and technical support from China, was inaugurated in early 2023. A state-of-the-art reference laboratory, also backed by China, was unveiled later that year.
Prime Minister Abiy underscored Ethiopia’s commitment as the host country of the agency, stating that his government would continue to support Africa CDC’s institutional development and strategic objectives.
“We are proud to host Africa CDC, and we believe in its potential to transform the health landscape of our continent,” he added.
Director-General Kaseya, in turn, reiterated the agency’s mission to address Africa’s major health challenges and build resilient health systems that can withstand future crises. He praised Ethiopia’s partnership and support in advancing Africa CDC’s goals.
“At the Africa CDC, we look forward to continuing to work closely with Ethiopia to tackle major health challenges, fortify systems, and drive sustainable solutions for a healthier Africa,” Kaseya said. “Together, we are building resilience and safeguarding the future.”
Africa CDC played a central role in coordinating the continent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, distributing medical supplies, facilitating vaccine procurement, and offering technical guidance to member states. However, the agency continues to face funding and capacity challenges, prompting calls for greater ownership and resource mobilization from within Africa.
The agency’s expansion and institutional strengthening have become more urgent in light of ongoing global health threats, including outbreaks of Ebola, cholera, and other infectious diseases in various parts of the continent.
