News 22 July 2026 Africa CDC and IOM Sign New Partnership to Strengthen Africa’s Health Security

Addis Ababa / Geneva, 22 July 2026 - The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have signed a new Cooperative Agreement to strengthen Africa's capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats across the continent.

The agreement sets out how the two organizations will work together from 2026 to 2028, combining Africa CDC's leadership in public health and IOM's global operational expertise in supporting the health of migrants, displaced people and mobile populations. Together, they will support African Union Member States to strengthen preparedness, improve disease surveillance, expand equitable access to health services and build stronger public health systems.

The partnership comes at a time when disease outbreaks, climate-related health risks and population movements increasingly shape Africa's public health landscape. Stronger cross-border collaboration will help countries detect threats earlier, coordinate responses more effectively and protect communities wherever they live or move.

"Health threats move across borders. Africa's response must move together," said H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. "This partnership strengthens our collective ability to anticipate risks, coordinate action and support Member States with stronger surveillance, preparedness and emergency response. It advances Africa's Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda through practical cooperation that protects lives and strengthens public health systems across the continent."

The Cooperative Agreement builds on collaboration between Africa CDC and IOM that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and expands cooperation across several strategic priorities.

Africa CDC and IOM will work together to strengthen preparedness and emergency response while ensuring that migrants, displaced and mobile populations are not left behind. The partnership will improve disease surveillance, strengthen health measures at Points of Entries (PoEs) and support early warning systems, allowing countries to detect health threats earlier, share information more quickly and coordinate across borders.

The agreement also expands cooperation to improve access to primary health care, immunization and disease prevention services for migrants, displaced people and mobile populations. Joint programmes will strengthen the public health workforce through training, deployment and rapid-response support. They will also help countries better address the health impacts of mobility, displacement and climate-related health risks in national preparedness plans, health policies and disease control efforts. The partnership will also support sustainable financing for preventing and responding to future health emergencies.

Implementation will be guided through joint technical working groups that bring together experts from both organizations on disease surveillance, workforce development, access to essential health services, climate and One Health, governance, policy and resource mobilization and other priority areas.

"Effective public health systems protect people wherever they live, work or move," said Frantz Celestin, Regional Director for East, Horn and Southern Africa at IOM. "This partnership strengthens countries' capacity to prepare for health emergencies, improve cross-border collaboration and expand access to essential health services for migrants, displaced populations and border communities across Africa."

The Cooperative Agreement provides a platform for long-term cooperation, joint programmes and coordinated support to African Union Member States. It reinforces the shared commitment of Africa CDC and IOM to stronger institutions, more resilient health systems and a healthier, safer Africa.

About Africa CDC

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is the autonomous public health agency of the African Union. Africa CDC supports African Union Member States in preventing, detecting and responding rapidly and effectively to disease threats and public health emergencies while strengthening public health institutions and systems across the continent.

About IOM

The International Organization for Migration, a related organization of the United Nations, is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. IOM works with governments and partners to promote safe, orderly and humane migration while strengthening health, humanitarian and development outcomes for people on the move.

For more information, please contact:

• IOM's Media Centre
• Africa CDC Communications and Public Information Directorate: [email protected]