Africa CDC Wins Landmark Pandemic Fund Accreditation

Africa CDC has become the first African Union institution and the first continental public health agency in the world to receive accreditation as a Pandemic Fund Implementing Entity.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has achieved a major milestone after being accredited as an Implementing Entity by the Pandemic Fund, giving the continental health agency direct access to international financing for disease prevention, preparedness and response programmes.

The approval was granted by the Pandemic Fund Governing Board following a recommendation from its Accreditation Panel. The decision places Africa CDC among a small group of institutions authorised to directly receive, manage and deploy Pandemic Fund resources.

The accreditation marks a significant step for Africa's efforts to strengthen health security and increase its ability to respond to future public health threats.

First Continental Public Health Agency to Receive Status

Africa CDC has become the first African Union institution and the first continental public health agency in the world to receive accreditation as a Pandemic Fund Implementing Entity.

It is also only the second African institution to achieve this status after the African Development Bank.

The recognition gives Africa CDC the authority to oversee and implement projects funded through the Pandemic Fund while supporting African Union member states with resources aimed at improving health emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

The achievement is expected to increase Africa's ability to shape and finance its own health priorities rather than relying solely on external implementation mechanisms.

Reforms Strengthened Governance and Accountability

The accreditation follows an extensive review of Africa CDC's governance structures, financial systems, operational capacity, accountability measures and environmental and social safeguards.

The assessment examined whether the institution could meet international standards required to manage large-scale funding programmes and deliver measurable results.

Since 2023, Africa CDC has implemented wide-ranging reforms under the leadership of Director General Dr Jean Kaseya through the organisation's "New Deal for Africa CDC" transformation agenda.

The reforms focused on strengthening transparency, improving financial management, expanding risk management systems, enhancing compliance mechanisms and reinforcing institutional oversight.

Over the past three years, the agency has also upgraded internal controls, improved budget management and built stronger systems to support large-scale programme implementation.

Direct Funding Access to Boost Health Security

Dr Kaseya described the accreditation as a historic achievement for Africa CDC and its member states, saying it reflects confidence in the institution's governance, technical expertise and accountability.

The recognition arrives at a time when African countries continue to face recurring disease outbreaks and growing public health risks.

Direct access to Pandemic Fund resources is expected to help accelerate investments in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response while strengthening health systems across the continent.

The accreditation also supports the African Union's broader goal of building strong continental institutions capable of managing resources and delivering solutions to African challenges.

Africa CDC said the achievement was made possible through the efforts of its staff, member states and development partners, with special recognition given to the teams that led the technical, governance and accreditation processes over many months of preparation and assessment.

The milestone further reinforces Africa CDC's growing role as a leading institution in advancing health security, resilience and self-reliance across Africa.