Amid growing global health complexities and rising demands on health systems, African and European health leaders convened at the University of Pretoria (UP) for the Third High-Level Steering Meeting of the African Union–European Union (AU–EU) Health Partnership. The meeting represented an important step in advancing bi-continental collaboration to build stronger, fairer, and more resilient health systems ahead of the AU–EU Summit in Luanda, Angola, scheduled for 24–25 November 2025.

The Steering Meeting centred on critical priorities including local vaccine manufacturing, sexual and reproductive health, and sustainable health financing. Delegates worked toward greater strategic alignment on continental priorities, reaffirming a shared commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through country-led, sustainable health financing reforms. Discussions were framed by the Lusaka Agenda, the Accra Reset, and the AU–EU Innovation Agenda, each providing direction for strengthening health systems across Africa and beyond.

Hosted by South Africa’s Ministry of Health and co-chaired by the African Union Commission, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the European Commission, and Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting drew approximately 30 delegates from 15 countries, along with representatives from four regional bodies, and 11 continental institutions.

Since its establishment, the AU–EU Health Partnership has advanced collaboration across five thematic areas:

1. Local manufacturing and equitable access to vaccines, medicines, and health technologies.
2. Sexual and reproductive health and rights.
3. Sustainable health security, guided by the One Health approach.
4. Digital health innovations for systems strengthening.
5. Support for public health institutes across the continent.

These areas build on long-standing Africa-Europe cooperation in global health research, including the Global Health EDCTP3 programme, which has strengthened regulatory capacity, improved vaccine delivery systems, and accelerated access to affordable medicines. Tangible outcomes from these collaborations include the donation of 215,000 vaccine doses to support Africa CDC’s response to the Mpox outbreak, the establishment of South Africa’s mRNA Technology Transfer Hub, and improved regulatory systems to ensure safe and timely access to essential health products. Collectively, these milestones advance Africa’s health sovereignty, pandemic preparedness, and long-term resilience.

Professor Flavia Senkubuge, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UP, emphasised the significance of hosting the meeting at the University of Pretoria, “It is a great honour for the faculty to host a high-level meeting that advances equitable health systems across continents. This gathering is not only about global partnerships but about the architecture required to move the health needle forward, not only for Africa but globally as well.” Prof Senkubuge also highlighted the importance of active engagement to facilitate this collaborative academic and policy milestone, and further noted UP’s Nuclear Medicine Research Institute, co-funded by the European Union, as an example of innovation that bridges scientific research and policy development.

H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, underscored the centrality of science in guiding the AU–EU Health Partnership, “Africa CDC is the continent’s public health agency, mandated by African Heads of State to lead the health sector. This was a critical meeting, and it was science-led.” Dr Kaseya commended UP for providing an enabling environment for knowledge generation and highlighted partnerships with European Institutions, including those in Sweden, that are training African Master’s and Doctoral students. Drawing value from the University of Pretoria’s collaborative efforts, Dr Kaseya highlighted the university’s “critical role in advancing health research and education in Africa.” Dr Kaseya emphasised two key messages from the meeting: a reaffirmation of the AU’s strong and growing partnership with the EU, and a commitment to a health agenda rooted in security and sovereignty.

South Africa’s Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, reiterated South Africa’s commitment to health sovereignty and self-reliance, positioning the AU–EU partnership as a model of shared global health governance, “This meeting represented more than dialogue; it reaffirmed our shared vision to build resilient, equitable, and self-reliant health systems that serve all our people,” he said. Dr Motsoaledi outlined five strategic pillars guiding South Africa’s contribution:

1. Strengthening domestic health financing
2. Resisting the financialisation of healthcare
3. Expanding local manufacturing capacity
4. Advancing digital health
5. Positioning primary healthcare as the foundation of universal health coverage.

He further highlighted African ownership in global initiatives, including pooled procurement and technology transfer projects such as the Biovac Institute, Afrigen mRNA Hub, and Aspen Pharmacare. Additionally, Dr Motsoaledi noted the importance of African-led initiatives such as pooled procurement mechanisms, the Biovac Institute, the Afrigen mRNA Hub, and Aspen Pharmacare’s vaccine production platforms.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to operationalising the five thematic workstreams, aligning them with national priorities, and investing in sustainable health infrastructure. Future efforts will focus on strengthening collaboration with public health institutes, expanding the One Health workforce, digitising primary healthcare systems, advancing regional pooled procurement, and accelerating vaccine manufacturing through the African Vaccines Manufacturing Accelerator.

As Dr Motsoaledi stated in closing, “Together we can transform this partnership from a framework of cooperation into a model of shared global health governance. This meeting reaffirms our collective resolve to ensure Africa’s health systems are not only supported but strengthened, resilient, and sovereign.”