Africa unveils a new cholera emergency preparedness and response plan covering September 2025 to February 2026. The initiative, led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to tackle the continent’s rising cholera threat.
The roadmap focuses on rapid domestic resource mobilization to fund vaccines, medical supplies, and case management. Its target is to cut cholera deaths by 90% and completely eradicate the disease in at least 20 African countries by 2030.
The plan was launched at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia, during the 75th WHO Regional Committee for Africa. The event also featured discussions on strengthening medicine and vaccine production across the continent.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, also the African Union’s (AU) global cholera champion, officially introduced the plan. He stressed that eradicating cholera is both a health priority and a moral obligation. According to him, reducing outbreaks would not only save lives but also strengthen Africa’s economy and help achieve the AU’s Agenda 2063.
“To succeed, we must act today for a better tomorrow, building a self-reliant Africa that produces its own vaccines,” Hichilema said.
Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, highlighted the alarming rise in 2025 alone, with more than 213,000 cases and 4,507 deaths reported across 23 AU member states. He emphasized that urgent action was needed to prevent further losses.
WHO Africa Regional Director Mohamed Janabi called the plan a strategic and technical blueprint. He noted that it reflects the collective determination of AU member states to eliminate cholera as a public health threat.
With Africa unveils this roadmap, leaders and health experts hope to turn commitment into action, ensuring a safer and healthier future for the continent.
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