A call to action to end cholera in Africa: establishment of a united continental strategy

Leaders from 20 African countries affected by cholera convened at a high-level meeting on June 4 to commit to a bold continental strategy to control the outbreaks and eliminate the disease in Africa by 2030 (1).

This meeting, called by the Africa CDC, comes as case numbers increase and countries previously unaffected for years grapple with a resurgence of the disease. As of May 2025, Africa has reported approximately 130,000 cholera cases and 2,700 deaths (2). Indeed, limited progress has been made in meeting the targets of the Africa Regional Framework for cholera prevention and control. Outbreaks not only result in morbidity and mortality, but they also have adverse economic consequences, strain healthcare systems, hinder development efforts, and exacerbate existing social inequalities (3–5). Addressing this crisis demands an urgent and united approach.

The chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, called for leadership and action during opening remarks: “The people of Africa are watching. They expect bold, coordinated, and unwavering leadership that puts their health and dignity first. This crisis demands action at the highest political level. Only through the direct engagement of our Heads of State can we drive the elimination of cholera by 2030. This requires a continental shift—strong national leadership, domestic investment, integrated national actions, and regional coordination” (2).

Through this call to action, the African leaders committed to coordinate outbreak control across the continent and reinforce cross-border surveillance by establishing a Continental Incident Management Support Team. They also called upon the Africa CDC to establish a Continental Task Force for Cholera Elimination to drive harmonized and sustainable strategies. Countries pledged to establish Presidential Task Forces on Cholera to strengthen multisectoral coordination and mobilize domestic resources for outbreak preparedness and response efforts. Leaders and partners also agreed to expand water and sanitation infrastructure, scale up local vaccine manufacturing, and emphasize community engagement strategies (1).

The meeting represents a pivotal moment in Africa’s response to cholera, underscoring strong political ownership and continental solidarity.