Addis Ababa, 9 June – The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(Africa CDC) is the continental public health agency mandated to support African
member states in building robust and resilient health systems. Its mission is to
safeguard Africa’s health security and accelerate the achievement of universal health
coverage.
Africa CDC’s strategic focus is on three critical priorities: (1) outbreak and pandemic
prevention, preparedness, and response; (2) health systems strengthening, with an
emphasis on primary health care and community health; and (3) effective local
manufacturing of health commodities, including vaccines, therapeutics, and
diagnostics.
Africa CDC recognizes Gavi as a pivotal partner for health security and collective
resilience to vaccine-preventable diseases across the continent. Indeed, from 2000
to 2022, Gavi invested US$11.9 billion to enhance access to life-saving vaccines in
Africa, resulting in 11.1 million future deaths averted in Africa.
This week, the Gavi Board approved the Gavi Alliance’s new five-year strategy
(2026-2030), focusing on accelerating vaccine coverage, introducing new vaccines,

strengthening health systems for equity, and supporting global health security and
regional vaccine manufacturing.
As a public-private partnership, Gavi is funded through replenishment events hosted
by donor governments to mobilize support from governments, philanthropies, the
private sector, various institutions, civil society organizations, and individuals.
In a show of commitment and support as the continent is the primary beneficiary of
Gavi funds, Africa CDC and the African Union and African member states stand
ready to fully support the 2024 replenishment event hosted by France in Paris on
June 20th.
This 2024 replenishment meeting will be unique, highlighting Gavi’s support for
Africa’s crucial agenda of local manufacturing, as endorsed by African Heads of
State under the Africa CDC’s Platform for Harmonized Health Manufacturing in Africa
(PHAHM). Indeed, Gavi will unveil a groundbreaking US$1 billion commitment over
ten years through a new initiative called the African Vaccine Manufacturing
Accelerator (AVMA), aimed at bolstering African health security and sovereignty.
At the Gavi Board meeting on June 7th, the Director General of Africa CDC, H.E. Dr
Jean Kaseya, underscored the importance of respectful partnership and
collaboration, stating, “Local manufacturing is the second independence of Africa
because it impacts our health security and economic growth. Additionally, Africa CDC
will spearhead the Lusaka agenda to strengthen national leadership and partner
coordination for effective implementation of the One Plan, One Budget, and One
M&E Framework.”
In recognition of AVMA’s significance to Africa, Dr. Kaseya announced that the
popular launch of AVMA will occur on African soil in the coming weeks. This
momentous occasion will bring together African leaders, Gavi, donors and partners,
African Civil Society Organizations, and communities to reflect on and celebrate the
journey toward Africa’s self-reliance in manufacturing vaccines, therapeutics, and
diagnostics.
Together, we stand on the brink of a new era for Africa’s self-reliance in health
security, driven by innovation, partnership, and a shared vision for a safer, healthier,
and more prosperous Africa.