(ADDIS ABABA) – The European Union has announced a renewed financial commitment of €11.5 million, equivalent to about US$19.8 million based on current exchange estimates, to support the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in strengthening preparedness and response to Ebola outbreaks across the continent.
The funding package is designed to reinforce emergency health operations under the Africa CDC and forms part of the wider African Union and European Union health partnership, which focuses on improving disease surveillance, laboratory capacity and rapid response systems.
Of the total commitment, €6.5 million, about US$11.2 million, will be directed towards strengthening the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative. This includes support for training frontline health workers, improving diagnostic systems and enhancing surveillance capacity across African countries.
An additional €5 million, about US$8.6 million, will be provided in kind through testing equipment. This includes rapid diagnostic tools and laboratory kits intended for quick deployment in affected areas during outbreaks.
European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib said the funding reflects the importance of international cooperation in managing health emergencies. She said the support will help equip health workers, improve detection systems and strengthen response capacity during outbreaks.
She made the remarks during a visit to the Africa CDC headquarters in Addis Ababa, where discussions focused on strengthening coordination between the European Union and African health institutions.
The Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya welcomed the support, describing the partnership with the European Union as constructive and without restrictive conditions. He said the funding would be used to strengthen outbreak response systems and improve protection for health workers operating in high risk environments.
He added that improving humanitarian access during outbreaks remains a priority, noting the importance of ensuring that health personnel are adequately supported while responding to emergencies.
The funding forms part of a broader African Union and European Union health partnership aimed at strengthening health security, pandemic preparedness and cross border disease control across the continent.
The partnership aligns with the European Union Global Gateway initiative, which supports infrastructure development, vaccine production capacity and health technology systems in Africa. The programme is backed by a wider investment framework valued at €150 billion, about US$258.6 billion, focused on infrastructure and development projects across African countries.
Health authorities say such cooperation is increasingly important as disease outbreaks continue to pose cross border risks, requiring coordinated surveillance and rapid response mechanisms.
During the same visit in Addis Ababa, Commissioner Lahbib held meetings with African Union Commission leadership, including Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Amma Twum Amoah.
The discussions covered ongoing health cooperation, humanitarian priorities and broader regional challenges affecting health systems across Africa. The talks also touched on geopolitical developments and their indirect impact on public health planning and emergency preparedness.
The Africa CDC, as the public health agency of the African Union, continues to lead coordination of disease surveillance and emergency response efforts among member states. It works with national governments to strengthen health systems, improve laboratory networks and build capacity for outbreak detection and response.
The new funding is expected to enhance genomic sequencing capacity and improve early warning systems for infectious disease threats, including Ebola and other epidemic prone diseases.
Health experts note that improved diagnostics and surveillance systems remain central to reducing response times during outbreaks, particularly in regions with limited health infrastructure.
The partnership between the African Union and European Union is expected to continue under a joint framework that supports long term cooperation in health security, with emphasis on building resilient systems capable of responding to future epidemics.