Addis Ababa: The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is set to unveil a groundbreaking knowledge management portal designed to advance public health responses across the continent. This initiative emerges amidst an ongoing mpox outbreak now impacting 26 African countries, a significant increase from the initial seven, with containment efforts made more complex by multiple clades and sub-strains.
According to African Press Organization, the new portal will serve as a dynamic and collaborative platform for health data, knowledge, research, and policy insights. It aims to bolster pandemic preparedness and response efforts among Africa CDC’s five Regional Coordinating Centres (RCCs) and African Union (AU) Member States. Dr. Nebiyu emphasized the portal’s role in supporting preparedness and response efforts for similar outbreaks in different countries through shared knowledge.
The portal is a flagship component of Africa CDC’s broader knowledge management initiative, designed to close Africa’s gap in global knowledge production and usage. Acting Director of Science and Innovation at Africa CDC, Dr. Mosoka Papa Fallah, described it as a smart system that catalyzes evidence-based decision-making and empowers national health systems.
This innovative hub will offer key public health resources, including AI-powered multilingual translation, intelligent search tools, and real-time document comparison, making it easier to access and act upon crucial health information. It will cater to national policymakers and frontline health workers with personalized content and a mobile-friendly interface.
The portal’s establishment will occur at three levels—continental, regional, and Member State—enabling extensive knowledge exchange across all 55 Member States and relevant stakeholders. Supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Mastercard Foundation, it reflects Africa CDC’s vision of creating a continent-wide network where knowledge flows freely.
Pilot implementations are already in progress, showcasing how countries can customize the platform to meet local needs while contributing to continental knowledge sharing. Africa CDC is committed to supporting Member States by training knowledge managers and establishing governance frameworks for sustainability.
By fostering a culture of knowledge sharing through initiatives like Knowledge Hours and Communities of Practice, Africa CDC aims to bridge the gap in access, translation, and application of knowledge. This portal represents a strategic response to the continent’s health challenges and aligns with Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order, supporting AU Member States in strengthening health systems and responding to emergencies.