AU and EU expand digital health solutions

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The African Union (AU) and the European Commission have launched new initiatives under the Global Gateway strategy aimed at expanding digital health solutions to improve pandemic preparedness and strengthen primary healthcare systems across Africa.

The initiatives, worth more than €100 million and implemented through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), form part of a broader effort to enhance health security, improve early detection systems, and support resilient healthcare delivery across AU Member States.

A key focus of the programme is the expansion of digital health infrastructure to support real-time disease surveillance, integrated health data systems, and improved coordination of public health responses. The initiatives are expected to strengthen countries’ ability to detect and respond to health emergencies while also improving access to essential healthcare services at the primary care level.

The programme will be implemented in six AU Member States, with emphasis on deploying digital tools that enhance pandemic preparedness, streamline health information systems, and support frontline healthcare workers in delivering more efficient services. It also seeks to bridge gaps in healthcare access through technology-driven solutions that improve service delivery in underserved communities.

The initiatives were launched at a high-level event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attended by senior representatives from the AU, the European Union, and Africa CDC, alongside health ministers and development partners. Officials highlighted the importance of digital transformation in building resilient health systems capable of responding to both current and future public health threats.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela described resilient health systems as a strategic pillar of security, noting that investment in digital health infrastructure contributes to stronger outbreak detection and more effective pandemic response mechanisms.

Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya emphasized that the partnership supports Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda by strengthening local capacity to manage health systems, produce data-driven insights, and reduce dependency through improved digital coordination and innovation.

The AU–EU partnership will also support broader health system reforms, including workforce development and integrated surveillance systems, with digital health identified as a critical enabler of more efficient and equitable healthcare delivery across the continent.

Officials say the expansion of digital health solutions marks a significant step in transforming Africa’s healthcare systems, with a focus on building scalable, technology-driven platforms that enhance both emergency preparedness and everyday primary healthcare services.