The latest African Health Security (AHS) Index shows continent‑wide gains in pandemic preparedness and response capacities between 2021 and 2026, but authors warn those improvements could unravel without sustained funding and targeted action to shore up biosecurity, biosafety and distribution systems.
Measured progress, persistent vulnerabilities
The AHS Index found the continent’s average score rose from 32.4 in 2021 to 41.5 in 2026, an increase of 9.1 points. The report notes that 52 of 54 countries registered at least a one‑point improvement over that five‑year period, reflecting strengthened prevention, detection and rapid‑response capacities.
Several concrete gains are highlighted: expansion of biosurveillance, broader laboratory sequencing and wider access to water and sanitation infrastructure. The analysis records that 52 countries are now carrying out wastewater or other environmental surveillance and that 48 countries have genomic sequencing capacity. Emergency response structures also expanded, with 52 countries operating emergency operations centres and many more meeting epidemiologist staffing targets.
Where progress lags
Despite those improvements, the report cautions that key areas remain weak and could undermine overall resilience. Notably, financing commitments for pandemic preparedness have diminished, and capacities for biosecurity and biosafety remain low. The index also indicates that while more countries can develop medical countermeasures, fewer possess effective distribution systems to deliver vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics at scale during an emergency.
These shortfalls are compounded by accelerating threats, including more frequent disease outbreaks, climate‑related impacts, and political and security instability — all factors that increase vulnerability even as technical capacities improve.
Recommended actions
To sustain and build on the gains, the report calls for coordinated action across governments, regional bodies, multilateral institutions, funders and the private sector. Specific recommendations include strengthening biosecurity and biosafety through legislation, ensuring funding for biosafety training alongside investments in infectious disease research, and expanding early‑warning surveillance technologies.
"Require all future investments in infectious disease research and pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) to include biosecurity and biosafety resources and training."
The report stresses that without these measures, recent improvements could be reversed.
- Surveillance: 52 countries conducting wastewater or environmental surveillance.
- Sequencing: 48 countries with genomic sequencing capacity.
- Emergency operations: 52 countries operating emergency operations centres.
| Indicator | 2021 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Average AHS score | 32.4 | 41.5 |
| Countries improving (≥1 point) | 52 of 54 |
Implications
Analysts and the report’s authors argue that the upward trajectory demonstrates the value of targeted investment and capacity building. Yet they emphasise that enhancements in laboratory and surveillance capability must be matched by reliable financing streams, stronger biosafety governance and practical distribution planning for medical countermeasures.
For donors and national policymakers, the findings underline a shift in priority from short‑term emergency responses toward sustained systems strengthening. The report urges that future financing for infectious disease work be tied explicitly to biosecurity and biosafety upgrades, and that national regulatory frameworks be developed or updated in line with regional guidance.
As the continent contends with climate change, recurring outbreaks and geopolitical instability, the AHS Index portrays a mixed picture: measurable and widespread improvement, but fragile and incomplete resilience unless current momentum is reinforced by policy, law and predictable investment.
Reporting for NEXO RADAR’s Health section.
