African leaders commit to ending cholera epidemic by 2030

With Africa facing over 130,000 cholera cases and 93.5 per cent of global cholera deaths this year, African leaders, along with the Africa CDC and key partners, have launched a bold continental effort to eliminate the disease by 2030.

This came during a virtual cholera conference during the Africa emergency high-level meeting for heads of state that was organised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and attended by the leaders of Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan are among the hardest-hit countries.

In a high-level declaration, Heads of State and Government, along with Heads of Delegation from 20 African Union (AU) Member States affected by the cholera epidemic, pledged urgent and coordinated action to tackle the crisis.

The leaders recalled earlier AU decisions and frameworks — including the 2017 declaration on International Health Regulations, the 2019 “Health in All Policies” strategy, and the 2018–2030 regional framework for cholera control — acknowledging the limited progress made toward these goals.

AU Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called for bold and coordinated leadership, emphasising that Africans expect unwavering commitment that prioritises their health and dignity.

“The people of Africa are watching. They expect bold, coordinated, and unwavering leadership that puts their health and dignity first. This crisis demands action at the highest political level. Only through the direct engagement of our Heads of State can we drive the elimination of cholera by 2030,” stated Mahmoud.

“This requires a continental shift—strong national leadership, domestic investment, integrated national actions, and regional coordination. We must also break the cycle of dependency by accelerating vaccine manufacturing and ensuring equitable access to life-saving tools.”

The AU recognised Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema as the AU Champion for Cholera Outbreak Response, charged with aligning efforts across regional, continental, and global levels.

Among the key commitments were the establishment or strengthening of Presidential Task Forces on cholera, increased domestic emergency funding, and major investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, praised the leadership demonstrated by the Heads of State, commending their vision and commitment.

He stated that WHO would increase its support to the affected countries in response to the Call to Action.

African leaders pledged to activate the Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST), building on the success of the mpox response, to enhance cross-border surveillance.

At the national level, they committed to setting up Presidential Task Forces on Cholera to improve multisectoral coordination, mobilise domestic funding, and ensure accountability.

The leaders expressed deep concern over the widespread and deadly outbreaks, which continue to strain already burdened health systems across the continent.

They also noted the compounding effects of concurrent public health emergencies such as mpox, measles, dengue fever, and Lassa fever.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa CDC, emphasised the systemic drivers of the crisis—limited WASH infrastructure, insecurity, weak coordination, and vaccine shortages.

“Africa needs 54 million doses of oral cholera vaccine annually, but receives barely half. This gap is unacceptable. Urgent action is needed to scale up local production and secure supply,” he stated.

Acknowledging the threat cholera poses to socio-economic stability and Agenda 2063, the declaration called for renewed commitment amid declining development aid and competing priorities.

Leaders also emphasised the importance of securing vaccines and essential supplies, enhancing cross-border surveillance, and involving civil society and community networks in prevention and response efforts.

The AU further called on the Africa CDC to form a Continental Incident Management Support Team, jointly led with WHO and partners such as UNICEF, GAVI, and the Global Fund.

It urged the creation of a Continental Task Force for Cholera Elimination and called for enhanced private sector and civil society engagement.

The declaration committed to regular progress reporting through President Hichilema to the AU Assembly, affirming the continent’s determination to end cholera by 2030.