The African Union Commission and the World Health Organization have renewed a long-running strategic partnership in a move both institutions say is designed to sharpen Africa's health response at a moment of deep financial uncertainty for the global health sector.
The updated Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, reaffirming a collaboration that officials say is now more urgent than ever as countries across Africa confront pressure on health budgets, fragile systems and rising demands for services. The agreement builds on a 2019 framework and is intended to streamline cooperation across AU bodies while reinforcing WHO's technical and normative role in regional and global health.
Her Excellency Ambassador Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, signed on behalf of African Union Commission Chairperson His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, alongside WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The renewed pact places the AU's Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the center of implementation efforts, underscoring the bloc's ambition to move from broad policy commitments to more coordinated delivery.
"This Agreement marks a new chapter in AU–WHO cooperation," Twum-Amoah said. "By working together more closely, we can better respond to the health needs of our populations and ensure that no one is left behind. The African Union values WHO's central and leading role in global health and looks forward to deepening this strategic partnership in support of our shared goals. We need to move from budgeting for survival to planning for health sovereignty," she added.
Her comments reflected a broader shift in the language of African health policy, where leaders are increasingly framing the continent's challenge not only as one of access, but of autonomy, resilience and long-term financing. The AU has been pushing for stronger domestic investment in health systems, local manufacturing capacity and regional coordination, all of which are reflected in the new agreement.
Dr Tedros said the timing of the renewal was critical, warning that shrinking external support could have immediate consequences for millions. "This renewed agreement comes at a critical time, as cuts to bilateral aid imperil the health of millions in Africa," he said. "It reflects our determination to translate our partnership into tangible results for the people of Africa, and support countries to leave behind the era of aid dependency and transition to sustainable self-reliance. We are proud to stand with the African Union in driving forward the health priorities of the continent."
The memorandum sets out five major areas of collaboration. The first is health systems strengthening, including regulatory harmonization, support for local pharmaceutical manufacturing, traditional medicine, domestic health financing, workforce development and digital health innovation. That agenda is likely to be closely watched by governments seeking to reduce dependence on imported medicines and external supply chains, while also expanding access to care in rural and underserved areas.
The second area focuses on reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health, with continued support for the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa, known as CARMMA Plus 2021–2030, and advancement of the reviewed Addis Ababa Declaration on Immunization. Both initiatives are central to efforts to reduce preventable deaths and improve routine immunization coverage in countries where health systems remain uneven.
The third area covers disease prevention and control, including implementation of AU frameworks on communicable and noncommunicable diseases. That includes efforts to end AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as eliminate neglected tropical diseases, which continue to affect some of the continent's poorest communities. The agreement also points to the need for stronger coordination on chronic illnesses, which are rising alongside infectious disease burdens.
The remaining areas of cooperation, while not fully detailed in the source material, are understood to support broader public health priorities tied to resilience, service delivery and sustainable development. Together, the five pillars suggest a partnership that is intended not merely as a diplomatic reaffirmation, but as a practical mechanism for aligning continental policy with technical support and implementation.
The renewed MoU arrives as African governments face a difficult balancing act: maintaining essential health services while adapting to reduced donor support and persistent fiscal constraints. For the AU, the agreement offers a platform to advance its vision of health sovereignty and regional self-reliance. For WHO, it reinforces a role that is increasingly focused on helping countries translate global health commitments into measurable outcomes on the ground.
In Geneva, the message from both institutions was clear: Africa's health future will depend less on emergency fixes and more on durable systems, domestic investment and coordinated action. The renewed AU-WHO partnership is meant to help build exactly that.