Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 29 June 2026 – African Union (AU) Member States are set to benefit from a new strategic partnership between the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health non-governmental organisation, to strengthen health financing, local manufacturing, supply chains, digital health and health systems in support of Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda.
Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Joint Action Plan, the partnership supports implementation of the AHSS agenda, endorsed by AU Heads of State and Government at the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in February 2026. The agenda aims to strengthen Africa’s capacity to finance, produce, procure and deliver essential health services and medical countermeasures while reducing dependence on external systems.
The Joint Action Plan serves as a practical roadmap for technical cooperation across key priority areas, including health financing and domestic resource mobilisation; health systems strengthening, leadership and governance; workforce development and community health; supply chains and procurement; local manufacturing; digital health and data systems; and partnership coordination.
Drawing on MSH’s decades of experience working alongside governments to strengthen health systems, the partnership will support Member States in translating continental priorities into sustainable country-level action.
Africa CDC and MSH will together support Member States in strengthening sustainable health financing and public financial management, expanding community health systems, improving procurement and supply chain performance, fostering local manufacturing ecosystems, and enhancing the use of digital health and data for evidence-based decision-making.
“This partnership comes at an important time for Africa,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, the Africa CDC Director General. “Achieving Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty agenda requires strong technical partnerships that help Member States strengthen financing, local manufacturing, supply chains, digital systems and community health.”
Dr Kaseya added: “Through this collaboration with MSH, we are supporting countries to build more resilient, self-reliant health systems and accelerate implementation of Africa’s shared health priorities.”
The Joint Action Plan covers the period 2026–2028 and outlines practical areas for collaboration, including transition readiness assessments, health financing strategies, leadership development, community health workforce planning, supply chain maturity assessments, regional market shaping, support for local manufacturing, digital health governance, and joint technical coordination.
“Africa has articulated an ambitious vision for health security and sovereignty. Turning that vision into lasting change requires strong institutions, capable leaders, and practical implementation,” said Marian W. Wentworth, MSH President and Chief Executive Officer. “MSH is honoured to partner with Africa CDC and AU Member States to help strengthen the systems that underpin resilient health services – from financing and governance to supply chains, workforce development, and digital transformation. Together, we look forward to translating this shared agenda into measurable results.”
Africa CDC and MSH will establish joint governance and technical coordination mechanisms to oversee implementation, monitor progress and identify new opportunities to support Member States.
Initial activities under the Joint Action Plan will focus on coordinated technical engagement with Member States to strengthen national capacity and advance implementation of the AHSS agenda.
The partnership reinforces Africa CDC’s mandate to strengthen continental health security, advance African-led public health priorities and support Member States in building resilient, self-reliant health systems capable of responding to current and future health threats.
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About Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States in strengthening health systems, improving disease surveillance, and enhancing emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.africacdc.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube.
About MSH
Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a global nonprofit organisation that works alongside governments, health institutions, and partners to strengthen health systems and expand access to quality care. For 55 years, MSH has supported countries to build sustainable health financing, strengthen health workforce performance, improve access to medicines and health products, enhance governance and leadership, and increase the use of data for decision-making. Through MSH, Inc., its locally registered subsidiaries, and country offices across Africa and around the world, MSH helps translate policy into practical implementation – building resilient, people-centred health systems that improve health outcomes and save lives.
Media enquiries:
Africa CDC
Saran Koly, Director of Communications and Spokesperson, Africa CDC | +251 98 434 6488 | kolys@africacdc.org
MSH
JoAnn Paradis, Director of Communications, MSH | +1-703-310-3521 | communications@msh.org
