africa-signature-initiative

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), with support from GP members and in collaboration with the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) and other partners, completed a five-year review of its Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative (2021-2025) and identified priorities for the next five years (2025-2030). Read more about the review in the ASLM issued press release and the Africa CDC issued press release.

On 29 May 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Robert Koch Institute, and the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom announced the expansion of the Health Security Partnership to Strengthen Disease Surveillance in Africa (HSPA) to 7 countries across the continent. Learn more in the joint press release issued by the Africa CDC and the WHO.

SIMBA Success Stories: Strengthening Biosafety & Biosecurity in Eswatini (May 2025)

The GP Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa - a Driving Force to Advance Continental Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative

A feature by Yenew Kebede (Africa CDC) and Wilmot James (Brown University Pandemic Center).

The African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) and Africa CDC have published a video highlighting the progress, challenges, and future of biosafety and biosecurity in Africa, demonstrating how these efforts are safeguarding against biological threats. With the support of Canada, this initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of African Union member states to meet international standards.

From 19-21 March 2024, GP and African partners came together in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to advance the Health Security Partnership to Strengthen Disease Surveillance in Africa (HSPA). Learn more in the Joint Press Release issued by the Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and the GP.

With GP support, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) conducted a training on biosafety and biosecurity for Morocco's Veterinary Services (29 January-2 February 2024). The training aimed to empower laboratory personnel with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for effective assessment and management of biological risks.

With support from Canada and Germany, the WHO has launched a new Health Security Partnership to strengthen Africa's health security capabilities in the areas of biosecurity, integrated disease surveillance, event-based surveillance, genomic surveillance, and epidemic intelligence (July 2023).

In partnership with the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA), Kenya's Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has launched a new undergraduate BSc. degree program in Biosafety and Biosecurity. IFBA has also launched a new Women's Network of African health security professionals to operationalize SIMBA objectives and further define the unique contributions and perspectives of women professionals across Africa.

Signature Initiative Meetings between BTWC ISU and Permanent Missions of Africa

Geneva, 7 and 22 March 2023

Parliamentary visit of the Union of Comoros to Geneva

Geneva, 15-16 March 2023

Video Highlights from Conference on Engaging Public Representatives in Biosecurity and Pandemic Preparedness, featuring comments from Honourable Joseph Phaahla (Minister of Health, South Africa), Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus Adhanom (Director General, WHO), Dr. Monique Eloit (Director General, OIE), Sir Jeremy Farrar (Wellcome Trust) and Honourable Pravin Gordhan (Minister of State Enterprises, South Africa) (November 2021)

GP statement on the Signature Initiative to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) Meeting of States Parties (November 2021)

Principles for Strengthening Biological Security in Africa (November 2021)

Engaging Public Representatives in Biosecurity and Pandemic Preparedness, opening session recording (8-12 November 2021)

GP statement on the Signature Initiative to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) Meeting of States Experts (August 2021)