Africa CDC, Japan Institute Forge New Global Health Security Partnership
Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) sign a landmark cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening global health security and improving responses to infectious disease outbreaks.
The Memorandum of Cooperation, signed simultaneously in Addis Ababa and Tokyo on Thursday, establishes a framework for joint action on pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance and research collaboration.
The agreement seeks to reinforce early warning systems, laboratory capacity, and coordinated emergency responses to emerging and re-emerging health threats.
Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya describes the partnership as critical in an increasingly interconnected world where health threats transcend borders.
“Health threats cross borders, and preparedness depends on strong partnerships,” Kaseya says.
“This cooperation with JIHS will strengthen scientific collaboration and accelerate our ability to prevent, detect and respond to outbreaks.”
Under the deal, both institutions plan to develop joint training programmes, institutional exchanges and technical collaborations designed to build stronger public health systems across Africa and Japan.
JIHS President Professor Norihiro Kokudo says the partnership will deepen scientific research and workforce development.
“Through this partnership with Africa CDC, we look forward to expanding joint research, strengthening workforce development and building practical collaboration that contributes to global health security,” Kokudo says.
The agreement also promotes One Health strategies, recognising the links between human, animal and environmental health.
Officials say the collaboration will focus on tackling zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance and climate-related health risks.
The initiative aligns with the Africa CDC Strategic Plan 2023–2027 and the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda, with implementation guided by a Joint Action Plan outlining timelines and priority activities.
Health experts say the partnership reflects growing global cooperation aimed at preventing future pandemics and strengthening public health resilience worldwide.
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Koko Maxwella 
Otamere Gladness 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Korede Abdullah