The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says genomic sequencing has fundamentally transformed public health systems across the continent, reshaping how African countries detect, track and respond to disease outbreaks.
In just a few years, Africa has expanded its genomic sequencing capacity from only seven African Union (AU) member states to 46 countries, a shift Africa CDC says has dramatically improved the continent’s ability to respond to health emergencies.
Genomic sequencing involves reading the genetic code of viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens. The technology allows scientists to identify the cause of outbreaks, track how diseases mutate and spread, and guide faster, more targeted public health responses.
According to Africa CDC, the expansion of sequencing capacity has already delivered tangible results on the ground.
“Genomic sequencing is Africa’s new public health superpower,” said Dr Collins Tanui, Programme Lead for the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative at Africa CDC.
“It allows us to detect outbreaks faster, identify new variants early and guide targeted responses. In just a few years, Africa moved from seven countries with this capacity to 46 by 2026, thanks to strong leadership from Africa CDC,” Tanui said.
He said the technology is now being used to combat a wide range of diseases, including Ebola, Mpox, cholera and Marburg, with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
Tanui cited Uganda as a clear example of how sequencing has improved outbreak response times.
“Previously, genome sharing could take a long time, but now pathogens can be detected and shared within 24 hours, enabling faster containment,” he said.
He added that suspected Marburg cases in Rwanda and Tanzania were tested within 24 to 48 hours, allowing authorities to quickly contain the spread. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, genomic sequencing helped identify and track a new Mpox clade, known as Clade 1B, strengthening understanding of transmission dynamics across the continent.
Africa CDC said it has played a central role in expanding access to the technology through its Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative, which has helped build a continent-wide network spanning all 54 AU member states.
Beyond infrastructure, the agency has invested heavily in skills development. Tanui said more than 1 600 scientists have been trained through over 90 in-person genomics and bioinformatics programmes between 2020 and 2025.
Africa CDC has also implemented external quality assurance in 29 laboratories across 25 countries, supported International Organisation for Standardisation accreditation processes, and strengthened data systems by providing high-performance computing resources.
“We have enabled large-scale genomic data sharing, with more than 6 000 sequences recently shared through platforms such as Terra,” Tanui said.
He added that Africa CDC has also installed satellite internet connectivity at laboratory sites in 10 countries, improving data upload speeds by up to 150 times.
Africa CDC says while progress has been significant, continued investment is needed to further expand sequencing capacity and ensure all countries can fully benefit from the technology.
–ChannelAfrica–
