Africa CDC and MSH Launch Strategic Partnership to Advance Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 29, 2026 — African Union (AU) Member States are set to benefit from a new strategic partnership between the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nongovernmental organization, to strengthen health financing, local manufacturing, supply chains, digital health, and health systems in support of Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda.

Formalized through a memorandum of understanding and Joint Action Plan, the partnership supports implementation of the AHSS agenda, endorsed by AU Heads of State and Government at the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in February 2026. The agenda aims to strengthen Africa’s capacity to finance, produce, procure, and deliver essential health services and medical countermeasures while reducing dependence on external systems.

The Joint Action Plan serves as a practical roadmap for technical cooperation across key priority areas, including health financing and domestic resource mobilization; health systems strengthening, leadership, and governance; workforce development and community health; supply chains and procurement; local manufacturing; digital health and data systems; and partnership coordination.

Drawing on MSH’s decades of experience working alongside governments to strengthen health systems, the partnership will support Member States in translating continental priorities into sustainable country-level action.

Africa CDC and MSH will support Member States in strengthening sustainable health financing and public financial management, expanding community health systems, improving procurement and supply chain performance, fostering local manufacturing ecosystems, and enhancing the use of digital health and data for evidence-based decision-making.

“This partnership comes at an important time for Africa,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC director general. “Achieving Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty agenda requires strong technical partnerships that help Member States strengthen financing, local manufacturing, supply chains, digital systems, and community health.”

Dr. Kaseya added: “Through this collaboration with MSH, we are supporting countries to build more resilient, self-reliant health systems and accelerate implementation of Africa’s shared health priorities.

The Joint Action Plan covers the period 2026–2028 and outlines practical areas for collaboration, including transition readiness assessments, health financing strategies, leadership development, community health workforce planning, supply chain maturity assessments, regional market shaping, support for local manufacturing, digital health governance, and joint technical coordination.

“Africa has articulated an ambitious vision for health security and sovereignty. Turning that vision into lasting change requires strong institutions, capable leaders, and practical implementation,” said Marian W. Wentworth, MSH president and chief executive officer. “MSH is honored to partner with Africa CDC and AU Member States to help strengthen the systems that underpin resilient health services—from financing and governance to supply chains, workforce development, and digital transformation. Together, we look forward to translating this shared agenda into measurable results.” 

Africa CDC and MSH will establish joint governance and technical coordination mechanisms to oversee implementation, monitor progress, and identify new opportunities to support Member States.

Initial activities under the Joint Action Plan will focus on coordinated technical engagement with Member States to strengthen national capacity and advance implementation of the AHSS agenda.

The partnership reinforces Africa CDC’s mandate to strengthen continental health security, advance African-led public health priorities, and support Member States in building resilient, self-reliant health systems capable of responding to current and future health threats.

About Africa CDC

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States in strengthening health systems, improving disease surveillance, and enhancing emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit africacdc.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube.