Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has secured accreditation as an Implementing Entity of the Pandemic Fund, a landmark development that gives the continental health agency direct access to global financing for pandemic preparedness and response.
The accreditation, approved by the Pandemic Fund Governing Board on 17 June in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marks a significant step in Africa’s pursuit of health sovereignty and self-reliance in public health financing.
According to a report released by Africa CDC on Thursday, the achievement makes the agency the first African Union institution and the first continental public health agency globally to obtain the status.
The accreditation authorises Africa CDC to directly receive, manage and deploy Pandemic Fund resources to support member states in strengthening health systems and emergency preparedness.
The decision follows a rigorous assessment of the agency’s governance structures, fiduciary controls, technical capacity and accountability systems.
The milestone also reflects reforms introduced since 2023 under the leadership of Director-General Jean Kaseya through the “New Deal for Africa CDC”, a reform agenda designed to strengthen institutional transparency, efficiency and autonomy.
Over the past three years, Africa CDC has upgraded its financial management systems, strengthened internal controls, enhanced risk management mechanisms and reinforced oversight frameworks.
Kaseya described the accreditation as a major achievement for Africa and a validation of the agency’s transformation efforts.
“This accreditation is a historic achievement for Africa CDC, our Member States and our collective vision of a stronger, more self-reliant Africa,” he said.
“It is a strong vote of confidence in Africa CDC’s governance, fiduciary systems, technical excellence and accountability. We now have a greater responsibility to demonstrate that African institutions can deliver transformative results for the people of Africa.”
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