Strengthening Africa CDC’s Role Through Digital Collaboration

This white paper explores how digital collaboration platforms, interoperable health data systems, and regional eHealth strategies can enhance the Africa CDC’s ability to coordinate, respond, and lead health initiatives across the continent.

editor-in-chief

Jun 28, 2025 - 09:11

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Strengthening Africa CDC’s Role Through Digital Collaboration

Abstract

As the central health agency of the African Union, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) plays a crucial role in coordinating pandemic response, public health surveillance, and capacity building. This white paper examines how digital collaboration tools, cross-border data sharing systems, and interoperable eHealth frameworks can significantly enhance Africa CDC’s operational effectiveness. It also presents use cases and policy recommendations to build a digitally empowered, continent-wide public health ecosystem.

Introduction

The Africa CDC was established in 2017 to strengthen the capacity of African countries to detect, prevent, control, and respond to public health threats. Its importance was magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it served as a continental command center for pandemic coordination. However, siloed data, fragmented digital systems, and limited infrastructure often hinder timely decision-making and cross-border collaboration.

With 56 AU member states, hundreds of stakeholders, and diverse health systems, digital transformation is no longer optional—it is critical to Africa CDC’s future success.

The Promise of Digital Collaboration

What Is Digital Collaboration in Public Health?

Digital collaboration refers to the use of digital platforms, data infrastructure, and integrated communication systems to coordinate public health efforts across institutions, borders, and sectors.

Key Components:

Interoperable health data systems
Cloud-based dashboards and alerts
Secure cross-border data exchange protocols
AI-powered early warning systems
Real-time virtual coordination platforms (e.g., Zoom, MS Teams, Slack)

Opportunities for Africa CDC

Area	Digital Collaboration Opportunities
Disease Surveillance	Real-time case reporting and automated outbreak alerts
Lab & Genomic Networks	Shared access to diagnostic and sequencing data across countries
Emergency Coordination	Virtual incident command centers and crisis dashboards
Training & Capacity Building	Virtual classrooms and tele-mentorship for health workers
Policy Harmonization	Shared regulatory sandboxes and cross-country digital health policies

Case Studies

🌍 Regional – Africa CDC’s Pathogen Genomics Initiative

Launched in 2020, this initiative aims to create a continent-wide network for genomic sequencing and data sharing, using digital platforms for coordination, training, and reporting.

📖 Source: Africa CDC. (2022). https://africacdc.org

🇳🇬 Nigeria – Digital Surveillance with SORMAS

Nigeria’s Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) uses the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS), an open-source platform adopted by Africa CDC to improve disease tracking.

Enables real-time reporting from facilities and labs
Integrated into Africa CDC’s surveillance network

📖 Source: SORMAS. (2023). https://sormas.org

🛰️ Pan-African – Trusted Interoperability Framework

Africa CDC and Smart Africa are piloting a Trusted Health Information Exchange Framework, modeled on global digital public goods and open standards like HL7 FHIR and OpenHIE.

📖 Source: Smart Africa Secretariat. (2023). https://smartafrica.org

Barriers to Digital Collaboration

Challenge	Explanation
Lack of Interoperability	Diverse EMRs and HIS platforms lack shared protocols
Data Sovereignty Concerns	Countries hesitate to share health data across borders
Infrastructure Gaps	Power, internet, and server limitations in remote/rural areas
Limited Digital Literacy	Need for training health workers on using digital collaboration tools
Fragmented Funding	Donor projects often operate in silos with little platform alignment

Policy & Technical Recommendations

1. Develop a Pan-African Digital Health Architecture

Align with WHO’s Global Strategy on Digital Health
Build upon Africa CDC’s existing platforms like DIDS (Digital Information Dashboard System)

2. Mandate Interoperability Standards

Promote continent-wide adoption of HL7 FHIR, OpenHIE, DHIS2, and other open standards

3. Launch a Continental Data Governance Framework

Create clear rules on data sharing, privacy, consent, and access rights across borders

4. Support Cross-Border Surveillance Protocols

Use shared APIs and dashboards for real-time regional outbreak alerts and information flow

5. Invest in Workforce & Infrastructure

Train digital health specialists, epidemiologists, and data scientists under AUDA-NEPAD programs

Future Outlook

By 2030, Africa CDC could evolve into Africa’s fully digital public health backbone, capable of leading proactive, unified health responses through a network of digitally connected member states, labs, and data ecosystems. Realizing this future will require political will, funding alignment, and inclusive digital partnerships across sectors.