Seminar on safeguarding Africa’s health: H.E. DG Kaseya’s visit and Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre

The seminar will highlight Africa CDC’s work and present its collaboration and partnership with Norway. A joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Africa CDC and Norway will be signed at the seminar.

Africa CDC is an important global health partner for Norway and a major partner for multiple Norwegian institutions in terms of co-operation. The University of Bergen (UiB) works with Africa CDC to support health economics and prioritisation. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) collaborates in several areas and has seconded senior experts to Africa CDC. University of Oslo (UiO) will enter into collaboration to support in IT and digitalisation through their HISP/DHIS2 system, which is already utilised in the vast majority of African countries.

The Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), His Excellency Dr Jean Kaseya, will be visiting Norway from 18th to 19th of March. He is the second DG to Africa CDC and has held this position since February 2023. The Minister of Health and Care Services, Jan Christian Vestre, will also be present to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Norway’s behalf.

Africa CDC is a continental autonomous health agency of the African Union (AU). Africa CDC was established in 2017 to support public health initiatives in the 55 Member States and strengthen the capacity of their public health institutions to detect, prevent, control and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats. The headquarters (HQ) are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and there are 5 regional offices. 

On Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, 12th of December 2023, the Lusaka Agenda was launched, outlining five key shifts to guide the evolution of global health initiatives in Africa. It is a foundational roadmap for Africa CDC which focuses on strengthening primary health care (PHC), advancing sustainable, domestically-funded health services, promoting equity in health outcomes, ensuring strategic and operational coherence, and coordinating efforts in product development, research, and regional manufacturing.

In addition, the AU and Africa CDC have also released in a joint “New Public Health Order” to work towards sustainable health outcomes and health security in Africa. It outlines 5 strategic pillars including strengthening public health institutions and workforce, expanding local manufacturing of health products, and increasing domestic investment. Its last pillar focuses on building action-oriented and respectful partnerships which ensure that Africa’s voice is heard, and that collaboration is rooted in respect and aligned with Africa’s priorities.

When: Tuesday March 18th 2025, 13:15-15:00  
Location: Auditoriet, Lindern, Lovisenberggata 8, NIPH
Language: English  

• Registration link

Participants for the panel discussion – Chaired by Frode Forland (NIPH and MFA)

• DG Jean Kaseya (Africa CDC)
• Kristin Braa (UiO)
• Frederik Kristensen (CEPI/RVMC)
• Lumbwe Chola (UiB)