Pierre Gashema, BSc, MSc, Global Health Specialist

Season’s greetings. As the year comes to a close, I want to thank colleagues, partners, @_AfricanUnion Member States, and communities for their dedication to protecting health and advancing equity, even in the most challenging circumstances. Your commitment makes a difference every day. I look forward to continuing this work together in the year ahead. Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and peaceful festive season.

2025 marked a turning point for health in Africa, with major challenges as well as critical opportunities. In the face of multiple shocks and guided by our Heads of State, @AfricaCDC advanced a clear vision: Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS)—at the core of the continent’s autonomy, sovereignty and resilience. I commend my Africa CDC colleagues, and our partners in standing with Member States. I arrived in Egypt on 22 December 2025 for the end-year break and express my sincere appreciation to H.E. Prof. Khaled Abdelghaffar, Vice Prime Minister, and H.E. Dr. Awad Tajaldeen, Strategic Advisor to H.E. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, for the fraternal welcome and the warm hospitality of the Egyptian people ——— 2025 a marqué un tournant pour la santé en Afrique avec des défis majeurs et aussi des opportunités importantes. Face à des chocs multiples, tel que guidé par nos Chefs d’Etat, Africa CDC a porté une vision claire : Sécurité et Souveraineté Sanitaires en Afrique (SSSA), au cœur de l’autonomie, de la souveraineté et de la résilience de notre continent. Je salue le dévouement de mes collègues d’Africa CDC et de nos partenaires aux côtés de nos États membres. Je suis arrivé en Égypte ce 22 décembre 2025 pour mes vacances. Je remercie S.E. Prof. Khaled Abdelghaffar, Vice Premier Ministre et S.E. Dr Awad Tajaldeen, Conseiller Stratégique de S.E. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, qui m’ont témoigné l’accueil fraternel et l’hospitalité du peule égyptien.

We are proud to share that our Director-General, @Dr_Jean Kaseya, has been named by New African Magazine (@NewAfricanMag) among the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2025. This recognition reflects a year of decisive leadership in strengthening Africa’s public health institutions, advancing health security and sovereignty, and championing African-led solutions in an increasingly complex health landscape. Congratulations, Dr. Kaseya. Read more here: ow.ly/UVis50XMEOf

Too many communities in Africa still struggle to access the medicines and supplies they need, especially during emergencies. By expanding reliable delivery systems — including to remote and hard-to-reach areas — we move closer to a future where no one is left behind. Our new partnership with Zipline will support Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda and help countries prepare, respond, and protect their people with greater speed and equity. Together, we can build a healthier and more resilient continent. #HealthSovereignty ------ Trop de communautés en Afrique peinent encore à accéder aux médicaments et aux produits de santé dont elles ont besoin, surtout en période d’urgence. En développant des systèmes de livraison fiables — y compris vers les zones reculées et difficiles d’accès — nous nous rapprochons d’un avenir où personne n’est laissé de côté. Notre nouveau partenariat avec Zipline soutiendra l’Agenda africain pour la Sécurité et la Souveraineté Sanitaires et aidera les pays à mieux se préparer, répondre et protéger leurs populations avec plus de rapidité et d’équité. Ensemble, nous pouvons bâtir un continent plus sain et plus résilient.

🗞️ Breaking: @AfricaCDC and @Zipline International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen last-mile health delivery across Africa. The partnership will help countries expand access to essential health products, improve emergency preparedness, and enhance data systems and early-warning capabilities, including in remote and hard-to-reach communities Learn more: ow.ly/p0PS50XHXL7 #HealthSovereignty

Today, DG @CMuvunyi met with ICAP Global Director Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr and COO Mark Schnellbaecher for productive discussions on advancing collaboration. @ICAP_ColumbiaU reaffirmed its strong commitment to Rwanda, prioritizing lab system strengthening, 7-1-7 readiness, AMR, integrated #Surveillance , and #research capacity. RBC underscored shared priorities, including data-driven decision-making, workforce development, global health security, #AMR, e-learning, and sustained integrated surveillance, reflecting clear alignment and strong potential for an expanded partnership.

Under the Lusaka Agenda, Africa is taking bold steps to strengthen systems, secure sustainable financing, and ensure accountability. @AfricaCDC is driving this vision forward with @_AfricanUnion Member States as we advance the continent’s health sovereignty. #HealthSovereignty

On #WorldAIDSDay2025, we honour progress and recognise the work still ahead. Millions of people across Africa continue to face preventable barriers to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. Countries are advancing toward global targets, but sustained commitment and investment are essential to protect these gains. Together, we can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. #AfricaCDC #EndAIDS

It is all set for the #WorldAIDSDay2025 commemoration underway at Kinyinya Health Centre in @Gasabo_District under the theme: “Resilient Communities, Renewed Response" . Find more about this year's #WorldAIDSDay: 🔗rbc.gov.rw/media/details?… #StopSIDA #WAD2025

Africa is confronting more outbreaks with fewer external resources. The Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) Agenda provides a clear roadmap to strengthen preparedness, expand local manufacturing and invest in the digital and financing systems needed for long-term resilience. Progress will require shared commitment, with Africa leading the agenda and partners aligning behind it. Together, we can build a more secure and sovereign health future for the continent. #HealthSovereignty ------ L’Afrique est confrontée à un nombre croissant d’épidémies alors même que les ressources externes diminuent. L’Agenda pour la Sécurité et la Souveraineté Sanitaires de l’Afrique (AHSS) offre une feuille de route claire pour renforcer la préparation, développer la production locale et investir dans les systèmes numériques et financiers nécessaires à une résilience durable. Les progrès dépendront d’un engagement partagé, avec l’Afrique en chef de file et des partenaires pleinement alignés sur ses priorités. Ensemble, nous pouvons bâtir un avenir sanitaire plus sûr et véritablement souverain pour le continent.

📢SIDA iracyahari! Irinde imyitwarire yagushora mu mibonano mpuzabitsina kuko ushobora kwanduriramo virusi itera SIDA. 🛑 #StopSIDA #WAD2025 #WADRwanda2025

#Ethiopia launches its 4th National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Ethiopia, with support from @AfricaCDC, @WHOEthiopia, @WorldBank, @ECSA-HC, @UKHSA and @FAOEthiopia, has launched its fourth National Action Plan on AMR. During the event, Health Minister @MekdesDaba highlighted the urgent threat posed by AMR. Africa CDC Deputy Director-General Dr Raji Tajudeen noted that AMR-related deaths in Africa could increase from 1 million today to 4.1 million annually by 2050 without coordinated action. The launch comes as World AMR Awareness Week concludes and reflects Ethiopia’s continued commitment to strengthening national AMR prevention and response. #HealthSovereignty

Eswatini 🇸🇿 has taken a bold step to strengthen epidemic intelligence with the launch of its new Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) Guidelines. This system helps detect health threats early by capturing signals from communities, clinics, media, and social networks. By expanding the sources of early warning, Eswatini is building a faster, more adaptive, and more community-driven surveillance system, fully aligned with Africa CDC's vision for a resilient, prepared, and outbreak-ready continent. 🔗 Read more: ow.ly/zAHM50Xt48X #NewPublicHealthOrder

Today DDG @J_Umuhire hosted clinical trial research partners and a delegation from @agenceANRS 🇫🇷 for strategic discussions on strengthening #Rwanda’s clinical trial capacity. Rwanda Biomedical Centre presented the national clinical research landscape, #ClinicalTrials readiness scores for the sites, and plans for infrastructure, workforce development, and regulatory strengthening -advancing Rwanda’s role in #GlobalHealth security and paving the way for impactful #Rwanda - #France #research collaboration through TEI-MAV+, Expertise France and Sida initiatives.

Ni ryari habaho ubudahangarwa bw'udukoko🦠🧫 ku miti⚕️💊💉? Koresha imiti⚕️💊💉 neza. Ibuka gukoresha imiti gusa igihe wayandikiwe kandi uyikoreshe nk'uko wayandikiwe haba mu buvuzi bw'abantu, mu buhinzi ndetse no mu bworozi. #AMR #WAAW #Koreshaimitineza #WAAW2025RW

At the @theGFF governing meeting in Dakar-Senegal, Rwanda reiterated its commitment to stronger, more resilient health systems. RBC Deputy Director General @J_Umuhire highlighted Rwanda’s strategic direction that builds on health infrastructure development, partnership’s core principles, with a focus on sustainable financing, digital innovation and climate-resilient service delivery.

Today as part of the activities of the #WAAW2025, Rwanda Biomedical Centre and partners conducted a field visit at @KibagabagaH to discuss with the healthcare professionals, patients and their guardians on various strategies to reduce Antimicrobial Resistance (#AMR). These include Immunization, Antimicrobial Stewardship (#AMS), Infection Prevention and Control (#IPC ). Participants got an opportunity to follow a demonstration of 5 key moments of #Handwashing at a health facility to prevent the spread of #infections. #WAAW #AntimicrobialResistance #ActOnAMR

Today, It’s the beginning of the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (#WAAW2025) from 18 to 24 November 2025 - a global campaign to improve awareness, understanding of antimicrobial resistance (#AMR) and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders. The Theme: “ Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future .” At RBC, we recently launched 13 Bacteriology Labs to support Bacterial Pathogens identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) profiles. Let’s prescribe antibiotics with lab evidence. #WAAW #AntimicrobialResistance #ActOnAMR #WAAW2025

Today we mark the Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action. Frontline health workers and community champions continue to drive progress through #HPV vaccination, screening and early treatment, protecting the health and futures of girls and women across Africa. @AfricaCDC remains firmly committed to accelerating action towards the global goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. 📘 Learn more: ow.ly/Pvuw50XsHUP #CervicalCancerEliminationDay

Landed in #Kigali for the 18th Governing Board meeting of @Pandemic_Fund. As we review progress and align priorities in a rapidly evolving health-financing landscape, Africa’s leadership and needs remain central to the discussion. Grateful to the Government of Rwanda for the warm welcome and its continued commitment to strengthening pandemic preparedness across our continent. ------- Arrivé à Kigali pour la 18ᵉ réunion du Conseil d’administration du Fonds pour les pandémies. Alors que nous examinons les progrès réalisés et alignons nos priorités dans un paysage du financement de la santé en pleine évolution, le leadership et les besoins de l’Afrique demeurent au cœur des discussions. Je remercie le Gouvernement du Rwanda pour son accueil chaleureux et son engagement constant en faveur du renforcement de la préparation aux pandémies sur notre continent.