With external health aid to Africa expected to plummet by 70% between 2021 and 2025, the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched a continent-wide strategy to fundamentally transform the way health systems are funded and place African resources at African health centres.
The sharp decline in official development assistance combined with a 41% surge in disease outbreaks from 2022 to 2024 has overwhelmed the already growing health system. Without urgent reform, the continent risks losing decades of hardship progress in disease management, mother care and epidemic preparation.
The African CDC’s response is intentional and strategic. In collaboration with African Union Member States, agents will guide efforts to amend the National Health Finance Program, strengthen domestic investments in health, and to guide innovative, context-specific revenue mechanisms designed to mobilize sustainable and predictable funds.
“Africa cannot continue to outsource health security,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director of CDC for Africa. “This strategy is about ownership, not aid. We are building a future where Africa invests in its people, promotes its own health agenda and responds to the crisis of speed, strength and independence.”
The strategy encourages the government to fulfill the Abuja Declaration by allocating at least 15% of the national budget to health. It also introduces innovative financing ideas such as airline tickets, alcohol and solidarity taxation of mobile services, and explores how Africa’s annual US$95 billion diaspora remittance can support the country’s health priorities. Blend finance tools are used to unlock public and private capital for critical investments in infrastructure, digital health, and local production of vaccines and medical supplies.
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Implementation will be staged. The first phase (2025-2026) will focus on updating national health financial plans for 30 countries, manipulating innovative revenue mechanisms, and launching transparency dashboards. The second phase (2026-2030) expands a successful approach with the aim of ensuring at least 20 countries can fund 50% or more of their health budget through sustainable domestic sources.
To track results and ensure accountability, the Africa CDC will deploy a new African Health Funding Scorecard to monitor progress, improve donor alignment and increase the efficiency of domestic spending.
This strategy is an important turning point for Africa’s health independence. With political momentum from the African Union and proven regional coordination mechanisms, the African CDC is positioned on itself and on the continent, leading a new era of sustainable sovereign health funds.
About the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
The African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is the public health agency of the African Union. It is autonomous and supports member states in strengthening their health systems. It also helps improve disease surveillance, emergency response and disease control. For more information, please visit http://www.africacdc.org. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
