Measuring capacities to advance global health security and bioeconomic development on the African continent.

OBJECTIVES

This descriptive analysis aims to examine the current state of health security on the African continent to understand areas where improvements have been made, where gaps remain, and where future priorities can be identified.

DESIGN

We analyzed the health security capacities of 54 African countries using data abstracted from the Global Health Security Index (versions 2019 and 2021) and Joint External Evaluation reports published since 2021.

RESULTS

The continent's health security strengths include a high level of commitment to improving health security. In addition, between 2019 and 2021, African countries improved their epidemiology workforce and developed plans for the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Despite this progress, gaps remain, especially in areas of biosecurity, biosafety, and oversight of dual-use research of concern.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuing to build on improvements to health security capacities on the African continent is crucial to safeguarding economic and development achievements. Investing in health security capacities will not only strengthen preparedness for a variety of health hazards and risks, but it will also stimulate the continent's emerging bioeconomy. Improving capacities to prepare for and respond to health security threats on the African continent benefits both the continent and the rest of the world.