New WHO-AU partnership to firm up Africa’s health systems

• A new WHO-AU partnership seeks to strengthen health systems and advance universal health coverage across Africa.
• The agreement outlines five key focus areas, including disease prevention, maternal health, nutrition, emergency response, and digital innovation.
• This renewed collaboration aims to shift Africa from aid dependency to health sovereignty through regional leadership and sustainable development.

A new effort is underway to bolster public health systems and universal health coverage in Africa following the renewal of a working formula between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Union (AU) Commission.

The new agreement, signed on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, marks a critical moment for health security and sustainable development across the continent at a time when the continent is grappling with declining aid financing.

At a time when global financial constraints and foreign aid reductions are threatening to reverse hard-won health gains, this WHO-AU partnership could position Africa at a vantage point as it transitions from aid dependency to health sovereignty—a future where African countries own, lead, and fund their health agendas.

From survival to sovereignty: Africa’s new health agenda

Signed by Ambassador Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the AU, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, the agreement emphasizes shared commitment to scaling up health system strengthening, disease prevention, and emergency preparedness.

“This Agreement marks a new chapter in AU–WHO cooperation,” said Twum-Amoah. “By working together more closely, we can better respond to the health needs of our populations and ensure that no one is left behind. We need to move from budgeting for survival to planning for health sovereignty.”

The MoU places the AU’s Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the core of continental health policy implementation, elevating the African Union’s leadership role in shaping and steering Africa’s public health trajectory.

Five pillars of the WHO–AU partnership on health

The renewed MoU is not just symbolic; it is action-driven and focused. It outlines five strategic areas of collaboration aimed at delivering impactful health outcomes for African communities:

1. Health System Strengthening

This pillar focuses on harmonizing health regulations across African nations, boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing, developing digital health solutions, and expanding the health workforce. It also prioritizes domestic health financing, enabling countries to increase internal investments in healthcare systems.

2. Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health

Continuing support for initiatives like the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA Plus) and the Addis Ababa Declaration on Immunization (ADi) will play a crucial role in safeguarding the health of mothers and children. These efforts reinforce the goal of universal access to quality reproductive and neonatal health services.

3. Disease Prevention and Control

The agreement promotes collaboration to combat communicable and noncommunicable diseases, including ending AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It also prioritizes managing the burden of viral hepatitis, aligning with WHO’s global health strategies.

4. Nutrition and Food Security

In line with the Africa Nutrition Strategy 2015–2025, the partnership will focus on addressing malnutrition, promoting sustainable food systems, and ensuring that nutrition remains central to health and development strategies.

5. Emergency Preparedness and Response

With increasing humanitarian crises, including climate-related disasters, conflicts, and pandemics, the WHO-AU partnership aims to enhance joint responses and build regional resilience to health emergencies.

A shift in global health governance

The timing of the renewed agreement is strategic. The African Union’s inclusion in the G20 signifies its rising influence in global health governance. The MoU strengthens the AU’s ability to negotiate and lead in international forums, while also ensuring WHO’s continued role as a trusted technical and operational partner on the continent.

“This renewed agreement comes at a critical time,” Dr. Tedros remarked. “Cuts to bilateral aid imperil the health of millions in Africa. This agreement reflects our determination to translate our partnership into tangible results and help countries move towards sustainable self-reliance.”

The partnership reflects WHO’s enduring commitment to Africa’s health development agenda and underscores a mutual desire to leave behind the legacy of fragmented aid approaches in favor of cohesive, continent-driven solutions.

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Building trust and results through collaboration

The new agreement reflects WHO and AU’s shared values of equity, resilience, and sustainability. It is a practical expression of collective leadership, one that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the vision of African health sovereignty.

By putting African institutions at the center of decision-making, the MoU promotes local ownership, long-term planning, and evidence-based public health interventions—all of which are essential in building trust with citizens and global partners alike.

The WHO–AU partnership enters this new phase with a clear, shared mission: to transform Africa’s health systems, empower its people, and lay the foundation for sustainable, self-reliant healthcare.

In the face of global instability and shrinking external aid, this agreement is more than just a document—it’s a bold commitment to Africa’s health future. It signals a united front to tackle pressing health challenges and build a resilient, inclusive, and self-sufficient health ecosystem across the continent.