ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (BG) – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has unveiled a new strategy to transform health financing across the continent and reduce reliance on external aid.
With health assistance to Africa expected to drop by 70% between 2021 and 2025, and a 41% rise in disease outbreaks over the past two years, the continent’s health systems face mounting pressure.
According to a statement released Friday, Africa CDC’s plan emphasizes mobilizing domestic resources and increasing government investments in health.
“Africa cannot continue outsourcing its health security,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC.
“This strategy is not about aid—it’s about ownership. We are building a future where Africa invests in its people, drives its own health agenda, and responds to crises with speed, strength, and self-reliance.”
The strategy encourages governments to meet the Abuja Declaration target of allocating at least 15% of national budgets to health.
It proposes new revenue sources, including solidarity levies on airline tickets, alcohol, and mobile services.
It suggests leveraging the continent’s $95 billion annual diaspora remittances to support national health priorities.
Africa CDC will roll out a new African Health Financing Scorecard to track progress, improve donor alignment, and enhance domestic spending efficiency.
Implementation will occur in phases: from 2025 to 2026, 30 countries will update their national health financing plans and pilot innovative revenue mechanisms.
By 2030, the agency aims to help at least 20 countries finance half of their health budgets through sustainable domestic sources.
