In this week’s health update from Africa, the Africa CDC and Zimbabwe are pushing back against Washington’s new healthcare aid approach, while ECOWAS, meeting in Cotonou, is accelerating the digitalization of epidemiological surveillance.

Meanwhile, the continent is strengthening its resilience: Burkina Faso has recorded a historic drop in malaria cases, WAHO is relocating its headquarters to Abidjan as part of a strategic shift, and emergency interventions are underway to combat polio in Togo and cholera in southern Africa. CEMAC is also stepping up efforts to tackle neglected tropical diseases.

The head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised serious concerns about agreements that would allow certain U.S. entities access to African biological samples and epidemiological data.

The agency fears that sharing pathogens and health data without firm guarantees of affordable access to resulting vaccines, treatments and technologies would leave African countries at a disadvantage.

The dispute reflects a broader shift in scientific diplomacy. African health authorities are pushing back against arrangements that position the continent primarily as a data supplier. Officials argue that medical breakthroughs derived from African resources should first benefit African populations, warning against what critics describe as biomedical neocolonialism.

Zimbabwe Rejects $367 Million U.S. Health Deal

Zimbabwe has rejected a proposed $367 million health agreement with the United States, citing concerns over data access and technology-sharing terms.

A $367 million health deal between Zimbabwe and the US has collapsed.

Zimbabwe says it had concerns about sharing sensitive health data.
The US says it is disappointed.

Sovereignty matters.
But so does the health of over a million citizens who depend on these programs.

The… pic.twitter.com/prC3jMBJ5s

— Thomas Chizhanje (@thomaschizhanje) February 26, 2026

President Emmerson Mnangagwa called the deal “unbalanced,” objecting to provisions that would grant U.S. partners broad access to biological samples and genomic data without clear commitments to share future medical advances.

Harare said the agreement risked reducing the country to a supplier of scientific material for foreign private firms, without guaranteed access to resulting vaccines or treatments.

The decision comes as Washington shifts toward direct bilateral contracts following the dismantling of USAID under the Trump administration. U.S. officials warned the move could disrupt treatment for 1.2 million HIV patients. Zimbabwe, however, framed the rejection as a matter of medical sovereignty and equity, principles also endorsed by the World Health Organization.

Pharmaceutical Sovereignty: Push for Local Production

Africa CDC is stepping up its campaign to expand domestic drug and vaccine manufacturing.

In many African health systems, households cover 30% to 40% of total health spending out of pocket. The agency says heavy reliance on imports drives up costs and exposes families to financial shocks.

To address this, Africa CDC is backing a vaccine manufacturing accelerator with a goal of meeting 60% of the continent’s needs through local production by 2040.

The agency is also urging countries to adopt digital health management systems to curb waste. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, annual losses are estimated at $800 million due to inefficiencies. Still, officials caution that meaningful progress will depend on large-scale investment in infrastructure and coordinated public procurement.

Burkina Faso: Sharp Drop in Malaria Deaths

Burkina Faso reported a sharp decline in malaria cases and deaths in 2025.

Cases fell 32% year-on-year, while deaths dropped 48%, according to data presented by Health Minister Dr. Robert Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou during a Feb. 19, 2026 cabinet meeting.

Reported cases declined from 10.8 million in 2024 to 7.3 million in 2025. Deaths fell from 3,523 to 1,900, with notable improvements among children under five.

Officials attributed the progress to a multi-pronged strategy that includes mass distribution of next-generation insecticide-treated nets, seasonal vaccination campaigns and expanded community-level care.

Authorities described the gains as both a public health and economic victory, noting malaria’s longstanding impact on productivity. They warned, however, that sustaining progress will require continued international funding and vigilance against insecticide resistance.

Support from partners including the WHO and a $250 million Global Fund grant for 2024–2026 is helping sustain these efforts.

Côte d’Ivoire to Host WAHO Headquarters

Côte d’Ivoire will host the headquarters of the West African Health Organization (WAHO), which is relocating from Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso to Abidjan.

Ivorian officials say the move could attract investment in health infrastructure and strengthen regional coordination as West Africa works to harmonize epidemic response protocols.

WAHO oversees cross-border health programs in a region where population mobility makes health security closely tied to political cooperation.

Cotonou Hosts Regional Health Surveillance Talks

WAHO convened regional experts in Cotonou from Feb. 23 to Feb. 27 to strengthen coordinated responses to health crises.

The workshop focused on implementing the “One Health” approach, which integrates human, animal and environmental health data.

A key priority is improving system interoperability through the DHIS2 regional platform to automate data sharing among ECOWAS member states and shorten response times.

Despite support from Africa CDC and the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, officials acknowledged persistent obstacles, including weak digital connectivity and uneven national protocols. Policymakers say sustainable digital surveillance systems are critical to managing cross-border threats such as mpox and cholera.

Floods in Southern Africa Trigger Health Emergency

Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique are grappling with a growing health crisis following severe floods.

Initial assessments indicate heightened risks of cholera and other water- and vector-borne diseases after damage to sanitation systems. Overcrowding in displacement camps and disruptions to routine immunization campaigns are complicating response efforts.

Governments face the dual challenge of delivering emergency relief while preventing further strain on already fragile health systems.

Togo Reports New Polio Cases

Togo has reported new polio cases in the Mô district in the country’s center, triggering a national health alert.

Authorities have launched targeted vaccination campaigns to contain the outbreak and prevent wider spread.

While the resurgence underscores the need for continued surveillance in areas declared free of wild poliovirus, it also highlights logistical hurdles. Health officials must reach mobile and remote populations in a district with limited access to care.

Community leaders and health workers are expected to play a central role, particularly in addressing lingering vaccine hesitancy.

CEMAC Launches 30 Research Projects on Neglected Diseases

The Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) has launched 30 research projects aimed at tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) across the sub-region.

The initiative seeks to support locally driven innovation in diagnostics and treatments tailored to regional needs.

By funding its own researchers, CEMAC aims to reduce dependence on international research priorities, which often overlook local realities.

NTDs comprise roughly 20 parasitic, bacterial and viral diseases affecting more than one billion people worldwide, primarily in impoverished regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

WHO Maintains Heightened Surveillance on Mpox

The World Health Organization continues to monitor multiple mpox outbreaks in Africa.

Its latest report points to sustained transmission in several areas and calls for expanded diagnostic capacity and equitable vaccine access. While fatality rates remain relatively low in some regions, experts warn that mutation risks and cross-border spread require continued vigilance.

Securing vaccine supplies and strengthening public communication remain top priorities to prevent stigma and misinformation.

Ghana Secures $20 Million in Japanese Health Support

Ghana is set to receive $20 million from Japan to upgrade primary healthcare services. The funding targets maternal and neonatal health and forms part of a broader push toward universal health coverage. Planned investments include advanced medical equipment and continued training for nursing staff in rural areas. Officials say the support will help reduce geographic disparities in access to care.

South Africa Plans Nationwide Cattle Vaccination

South Africa has announced plans to vaccinate its entire national herd to protect the food supply and reduce zoonotic disease risks. The initiative aligns with the “One Health” framework, linking animal and human health. By strengthening protection against diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and anthrax, authorities aim to safeguard agricultural exports and limit cross-species transmission.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi