African leaders have mobilized USD 910 million (about Sh117 billion) in pledges to support efforts to contain the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The commitments were announced during a high-level emergency meeting convened by African Union Chairperson and Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, bringing together African heads of state, health agencies, development partners and donors.
Of the total pledges, African Union member states committed USD 80 million, a move Africa CDC described as a demonstration of growing African ownership of health security challenges.
The funding will support the Joint Continental Preparedness and Response Plan, which requires USD 518 million over the next four weeks to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, treatment capacity and cross-border coordination in affected and at-risk countries.
Health officials warned that delays in containing the outbreak could significantly increase response costs. Africa CDC estimates that financing needs could rise to as much as USD 1.5 billion if transmission is not brought under control quickly.
The outbreak has placed increasing pressure on healthcare systems in affected areas, with major challenges including contact tracing, shortages of medical supplies, protection of health workers and access to communities affected by insecurity and population movements.
Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya said the immediate priority is ensuring that pledged funds are rapidly converted into operational support for frontline responders.
The continental health agency is targeting monitoring of at least 90 to 95 percent of all identified contacts throughout the virus’s 21-day incubation period, a key strategy in preventing further spread.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening preparedness in neighbouring countries through enhanced border screening, real-time sharing of disease surveillance data and implementation of national Ebola response plans.
In a boost to vaccine development efforts, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) committed more than USD 60 million to accelerate clinical development of vaccines targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
Leaders further called for greater African participation in vaccine research, manufacturing, regulation and distribution to reduce dependence on external suppliers during future health emergencies.
Africa CDC will oversee a weekly tracking system to monitor pledges, disbursements, deployed personnel, medical supplies and operational gaps as part of efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the response.
The funding mobilization comes as African governments seek to strengthen the continent’s ability to respond to disease outbreaks while reducing the economic and social impact of public health emergencies.
