Africa’s ambitions to strengthen its epidemic preparedness and scientific sovereignty face a major setback as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) appeals for an urgent US$18 million to support critical research projects that are ready for immediate implementation.
The funding shortfall threatens to delay a series of African-led studies, including clinical trials for Ebola therapeutics and vaccines, at a time when the continent continues to confront recurring outbreaks and growing health security challenges.
According to Africa CDC, the projects have already completed scientific planning and secured technical approvals, but cannot proceed without additional financial support. The agency warns that failure to mobilise resources quickly could undermine years of investment in building Africa’s research and outbreak response capacity.
The appeal reflects broader concerns about the sustainability of health research financing on the continent, particularly as international development priorities shift and global funding for health programmes becomes increasingly constrained.
Africa CDC argues that strengthening local research systems is essential for ensuring African countries can generate evidence, evaluate interventions, and respond rapidly to emerging public health threats without relying solely on external institutions.
The current funding gap affects studies designed to address diseases with significant implications for regional and global health security, including Ebola and other epidemic-prone infections.
Health experts note that conducting clinical research during active outbreaks provides invaluable evidence for improving treatment strategies and informing future emergency responses, making timely financing particularly important.
Among the projects most affected are clinical trials focused on Ebola therapeutics, which Africa CDC says are critical for expanding the evidence base on effective treatments and improving preparedness for future outbreaks.
The continent has experienced multiple Ebola emergencies over the past decade, underscoring the need for stronger local research infrastructure capable of rapidly evaluating medical countermeasures during health crises.
Officials warn that delays in launching these studies could weaken efforts to build sustainable clinical research platforms that remain operational between outbreaks and can be activated when new threats emerge.
The funding request also highlights the importance of maintaining momentum in African-led science, particularly as countries seek to reduce dependence on external expertise and strengthen regional health sovereignty.
Africa CDC has increasingly championed a model of health security built on locally generated evidence, homegrown innovation, and stronger collaboration among African research institutions.
The agency argues that investing in research capacity is not only vital for responding to current emergencies but also for ensuring that future interventions are tailored to African populations, health systems, and disease patterns.
The appeal comes amid wider continental efforts to strengthen scientific ecosystems through initiatives aimed at boosting clinical trials, vaccine manufacturing, genomic surveillance, and health technology innovation.
According to Africa CDC, closing the US$18 million gap would allow multiple high-priority studies to commence immediately, preserving critical expertise and ensuring that Africa remains at the centre of research efforts addressing diseases that disproportionately affect the continent.
The agency is calling on governments, development partners, philanthropic organisations, and the private sector to support the funding effort, warning that delays could compromise both immediate outbreak preparedness and longer-term ambitions for African scientific leadership in global health.
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Article by Jed Mwangi
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