The One Health Programme works to strengthen coordination across human, animal and environmental health to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats. Established in 2018, the programme supports African Union Member States in adopting integrated approaches to disease surveillance, preparedness and response, recognising that many health threats emerge at the intersection of people, animals and the environment.
The programme responds to a growing public health challenge. Zoonotic diseases account for about 60% of infectious diseases globally, while Africa has experienced a 63% increase in zoonotic outbreaks over the past two decades. Emerging and re-emerging diseases, antimicrobial resistance, unsafe food and climate-related health risks require coordinated action across sectors.
Led by Africa CDC’s One Health Unit within the Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Division, the programme focuses on four priority areas: zoonotic disease prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and climate change and health. Continental frameworks guide its work, including the African Union Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Control Strategy 2025–2029, the African Union Antimicrobial Resistance Framework 2026–2030, the Food Safety Strategic Framework 2026–2030, and the Climate Change and Health Strategic Framework.
Africa CDC is translating these frameworks into national action through technical assistance, capacity building and multisectoral coordination. To date, the programme has supported 11 national zoonotic disease prioritisation exercises and trained 135 professionals from 24 Member States. A multi-country initiative has also generated evidence on antimicrobial consumption and use across 14 countries, identifying gaps in surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship.
Country-level interventions demonstrate the programme’s practical application. For example, in Togo, Africa CDC supported the identification of eight priority zoonotic disease groups and the development of a multisectoral action plan. Efforts in Mauritius focused on improving healthcare-associated infection surveillance and antimicrobial resistance monitoring. In Lesotho, the programme supported climate-related health vulnerability assessments and national adaptation planning, while in Ghana, it contributed to the validation of a national Food Safety Emergency Response Plan.
Working with Member States, African Union institutions, Regional Economic Communities and international partners, Africa CDC is improving integrated surveillance, cross-border preparedness, workforce development and national coordination mechanisms. The programme’s next phase will focus on implementing continental frameworks, strengthening national systems and building capacity to address emerging health threats through sustained multisectoral action.
