Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 5 March 2026 — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to strengthen bilateral collaboration in health security, infectious disease control, research, and public health capacity development.
The agreement was simultaneouly signed in Addis Ababa by H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, and in Tokyo by Professor Dr. Norihiro Kokudo, President of JIHS. It establishes a framework for enhanced cooperation to address emerging and re-emerging public health threats and to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.The partnership will promote closer collaboration in infectious disease surveillance and early warning systems, laboratory and research capacity, and coordinated responses to public health emergencies. It will also support workforce development through structured training programs, institutional exchanges, and technical collaboration aimed at strengthening resilient public health institutions.
“Health threats cross borders, and preparedness depends on strong partnerships,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. “This cooperation with JIHS will strengthen scientific collaboration, reinforce public health institutions and workforce capacity, and accelerate our ability to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks.”
The collaboration will also advance One Health and climate-resilient approaches to address zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and other emerging risks.
“JIHS was established as an integrated national institution combining infectious disease intelligence, research and development, clinical expertise, and international cooperation,” said Professor Dr. Norihiro Kokudo, President of JIHS. “Through this partnership with Africa CDC, we look forward to expanding joint research, strengthening workforce development, and building practical collaboration that contributes to regional and global health security.”
The cooperation reflects a shared commitment to strengthening science-based preparedness and fostering mutual learning between institutions, researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals from Africa and Japan.
The collaboration supportsAfrica CDC’s Strategic Plan (2023–2027)and theAfrica Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) Agenda. The partners will operationalize the agreement through aJoint Action Planthat will define priority activities, timelines, and implementation mechanisms.
About Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.africacdc.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube.
About JIHS
The Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) is Japan’s national institution dedicated to strengthening preparedness and response to infectious diseases and other health threats. Established through the integration of Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) and the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), JIHS functions as an integrated science center combining infectious disease intelligence, research and development, clinical capabilities, and international cooperation. For more information, visit: https://www.jihs.go.jp/index.en.html and follow JIHS on X and YouTube.
Media Contact
Margaret Edwin
Director of Communication and Public Information | EdwinM@africacdc.org
For JHIS
Kenji Kohno Director of Public Relations | kohno.k@jihs.go.jp
