Africa CDC set for bigger power as PAP pushes stronger continental disease response

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has adopted a resolution calling for an expanded role for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to better coordinate the continent's response to public health threats. Driven by lessons learned from past emergencies such as Ebola and COVID-19, the legislative body is urging African Union member states to accelerate the adoption of continental health laws and strengthen legal frameworks for future pandemic preparedness.

Alongside these institutional measures, the PAP has challenged African governments to fulfill long-standing commitments to increase domestic health financing. The parliament warned that weak funding and broken financial pledges continue to leave the continent vulnerable to severe public health crises.