As Africa battles widening health security threats, China and South Korea have pledged $4 million to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to address critical funding shortfalls.
This contribution follows a significant reduction in U.S. financial support under President Donald Trump’s aid freeze, a decision that has left the continent’s top health advisory body scrambling to fill the gap.
The U.S., which had initially committed $500 million to support Africa CDC operations, has now reduced that figure to $385 million, according to Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya. The funding cut has created an urgent shortfall, jeopardizing efforts to tackle emerging health crises and strengthen disease surveillance systems across the continent.
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 17 (June 9 – Sept 6, 2025) today for early bird discounts. Do annual for access to Blucera.com.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register to become a better CEO or Director with Tekedia CEO & Director Program.
Kaseya emphasized in an online briefing that Africa CDC is continuing to engage with the U.S. government, urging American officials to recognize that “our security is your security.” He noted that beyond securing pledges, Africa CDC also needs to ensure that money actually makes it into its coffers.
To bridge the deficit, the organization is now seeking support from the private sector and other international partners. However, Kaseya declined to name the specific organizations involved in the ongoing discussions.
In response to the funding shortfall, China and South Korea have stepped in with a combined $4 million donation to Africa CDC. Though a fraction of the deficit left by the U.S. cuts, these funds are expected to help address urgent health needs and reinforce Africa’s ability to prevent and manage disease outbreaks. The support comes at a time when Africa is facing an unprecedented convergence of health crises, including rising infectious disease outbreaks, vaccine access challenges, and a fragile healthcare system still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognizing the dangers of over-reliance on foreign aid, Africa CDC has launched the African Epidemic Fund, a new financing mechanism approved last week that aims to ensure African-led health funding. The fund consolidates leftover COVID-19 relief funds and enables swift responses to emerging health threats without bureaucratic delays.
Kaseya described it as a “game-changer,” noting that Africa CDC will now have the flexibility to receive and allocate funds without needing approval from any African Union organ. This move marks a shift toward financial autonomy, allowing Africa CDC to prioritize its spending based on immediate health challenges rather than waiting for donor approvals.
Another key milestone in Africa’s push for self-reliance is an agreement for a technology transfer of the mpox vaccine from Danish biotech firm Bavarian Nordic A/S to an undisclosed African company. Kaseya said that while the final contract details are still being finalized, an announcement is expected next week. If successful, this deal will represent a major step toward local vaccine production, reducing Africa’s dependency on international suppliers and ensuring quicker access to critical immunizations.
Dr. Kaseya has repeatedly warned that without urgent intervention, Africa could face devastating setbacks in health security and economic development. According to Africa CDC projections, financial constraints could result in an estimated 2 to 4 million additional deaths annually from preventable and treatable diseases. Beyond the human toll, the economic impact could be severe, with an estimated 39 million more people pushed into poverty and the continent suffering billions in losses each year.
These numbers underscore the grave implications of the funding shortfall, making it clear that sustained investment in Africa’s healthcare system is not just a humanitarian necessity but also an economic imperative.
China Eager to Fill the Void of Trump’s “America First”
The reduction in U.S. funding comes amid Trump’s broader push against multilateralism, a stance that has raised concerns among American policymakers and experts. Trump’s “America First” rhetoric has emphasized reducing U.S. involvement in global affairs, including cutting funding to international institutions and pulling the country out of major agreements.
Trump has signed several executive orders to withdraw the U.S. from key global accords and organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement. These moves were justified by his administration as efforts to protect American interests, but they have also sparked fears that such withdrawals will create a leadership vacuum in multilateral organizations—one that China is eager to fill.
Many American foreign policy analysts have expressed concern that Trump’s approach is allowing China to position itself as the dominant global power in key international institutions. By stepping into funding gaps left by the U.S., China is gradually expanding its influence across Africa and other regions.
Some US policymakers and experts have noted that reducing U.S. engagement in global health and development initiatives will not only weaken America’s soft power but also give China the opportunity to dictate the rules of multilateral cooperation.
However, it is believed that the reduction in U.S. funding has exposed the urgent need for Africa to take control of its own health financing.