R&D During Epidemics and Public Health Emergencies | Africa CDC

Africa CDC has emphasized the critical need for structured research and development frameworks during epidemics and public health emergencies, highlighting that the absence of a unified African research ethics framework has long hindered effective responses to outbreaks such as Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox.

In the context of major public health emergencies over the past five years, including the 2019 Ebola outbreak, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2024 Mpox surge, African scholars and health institutions have consistently pointed to the lack of a coordinated research ethics framework as a major barrier to timely and ethical R&D efforts across the continent.

The Africa CDC, in collaboration with the African Academy of Sciences and WHO-AFRO, has identified shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation, and dissemination of valuable knowledge as core functions essential to strengthening Africa’s capacity to respond to health threats.