Africa CDC In Policy Formulations (2015 – 2025)

Introduction

1- In response to the growing complexity of health threats across the continent, the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, through Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.554(XXIV) of January 2015, endorsed the establishment of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and subsequently adopted its Statute under the African Union Commission’s by Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.589(XXVI) of January 2016.

2- Recognizing the urgent need for a scientifically driven and coordinated continental response tailored to public health emergencies, the Assembly by Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.835(XXXV), elevated Africa CDC to an autonomous institution of the African Union.

3- This elevation confers upon Africa CDC a clear mandate to lead the prevention, detection, and response to disease threats across Member States, which are anchored in the principles of subsidiarity, complementarity, and comparative advantage. The revised Statute, guided by the broader AU Institutional Reform Agenda (Assembly/AU/Dec.635(XXVIII)), reflects a strategic shift toward efficiency, responsiveness, and accountability—reinforcing Africa CDC’s role as a key policy-shaping body with the authority and responsibility to coordinate and support Member States in building resilient and adaptive public health systems across the continent.