ECDC and Africa CDC strengthen joint commitment to global health security

The Memorandum was signed by ECDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner and H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, during a 2-day visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by Dr Rendi-Wagner and a team of ECDC experts.

'This first Memorandum of Understanding between ECDC and Africa CDC represents a significant step forward for European, African and global health security.  Strong partnerships and close cooperation are essential to address the current and emerging global health challenges we jointly face. Our health security and progress depend on each other, and I look forward to a close and fruitful collaboration with colleagues at Africa CDC,' said ECDC Director, Pamela Rendi-Wagner.

The Memorandum formalises a decade of collaboration and close partnership between the two agencies in areas critical to global health. The Memorandum establishes a framework for enhanced collaboration in the areas of disease surveillance, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness and response and will include joint actions in areas such as antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases, and emerging and re-emerging health threats. It will also support collaboration on data analytics, modelling and foresight, laboratory capabilities, workforce development, and public health training. 

'Infectious diseases do not respect borders, and our response must be equally interconnected,' said H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. 'Through this partnership with ECDC, we are strengthening the core capacities that matter most for health security: timely surveillance, a skilled public health workforce, stronger preparedness, and institutions that can act quickly and effectively. This is how we build lasting resilience and better protect communities across Africa.'

The Memorandum builds on the successful completion in April this year of a five-year partnership project between Africa CDC and ECDC funded by the European Commission. This capacity- and partnership-building project has established a solid basis for technical collaboration in the areas of preparedness, surveillance, and workforce development. 

ECDC and Africa CDC will collaborate in a new five-year action starting in May 2026, under the Team Europe Initiative on Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance and Strengthening the One Health Approach in Africa in collaboration with EFSA. 

Through continued technical exchange and coordinated epidemic intelligence, ECDC and Africa CDC aim to reinforce the resilience of public health systems across both continents and globally.

Further information

Since its reinforced mandate, ECDC has increased and strengthened its collaboration with counterparts across the world. ECDC has signed bilateral agreements with 16 countries, and the Memorandum of Understanding with Africa CDC is the first with another supranational CDC. ECDC remains committed to working closely with its international partners to address current and emerging global health challenges.