Africa CDC Unveils Strategy to Bridge Healthcare Funding Gaps

18 March 2025

By Kenneth K Nyika

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has outlined a strategy to address healthcare funding challenges across the continent, with a focus on boosting domestic health budgets, introducing innovative financing models, and strengthening regional response mechanisms.

Speaking during a weekly briefing, Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya highlighted the need for increased private investment in vaccine manufacturing and health infrastructure. He emphasized that securing Africa’s health future requires self-reliance and sustainable funding solutions.

Zimbabwe has already implemented several domestic health financing mechanisms, including taxes on airtime and data, a sugar tax, levies on fast foods, and a user fees policy aimed at protecting vulnerable groups. The country is also working on establishing a National Health Insurance Scheme to enhance self-sufficiency in healthcare.

The Africa CDC, an autonomous health agency under the African Union (AU), plays a critical role in supporting public health initiatives and strengthening the capacity of member states to respond to disease outbreaks.