Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and FHI 360 sign an agreement aimed at strengthening health security and public health systems across Africa.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, establishes a framework to boost disease surveillance, laboratory networks, workforce development and emergency preparedness across African Union member states.
Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya says the partnership advances the continent’s push for health sovereignty.
“This collaboration supports African countries to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats while accelerating national ownership and sustainable financing,” Kaseya says.
Under the agreement, both organisations commit to strengthening epidemic intelligence, promoting digital health systems and supporting resilient, locally driven health institutions.
FHI 360 Chief Executive Officer Dr Tessie San Martin says the partnership builds on decades of collaboration with African governments.
“Health sovereignty depends on strong domestic financing, skilled workforces and local manufacturing capacity,” she says.
The agreement aligns with the Africa CDC Strategic Plan 2023–2027 and the Lusaka Agenda, supporting country-led responses and reduced dependence on external aid.
Public health experts describe the pact as timely, as Africa continues to confront infectious disease outbreaks, climate-related health threats and fragile health systems.
Officials say the collaboration will also encourage private-sector participation and performance-based financing models to ensure accountability and long-term sustainability.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Hussaini Ibrahim 