A Project to Strengthen AMR Lab Networks and Surveillance has been Launched
Aimed at strengthening laboratory networks and surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Africa; Advancing Regional Integrated Laboratory-based Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance and Laboratory Capacity (ARILAC) project has been officially launched on May 6,2026.
Africa CDC and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) will implement the ARILAC project as part of the Team Europe Initiative with Africa on Sustainable Health Security, using a One Health approach to contribute to broader efforts to combat AMR and strengthen the One Health workforce. Eight African Union Member States — Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Gabon, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zimbabwe — will participate in the project over 48 months.
Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) said that ARILAC’s mission to strengthen African health security through an inclusive One Health approach aligns perfectly with our national priorities by improving the detection, prevention and professional capacity across human animal and environmental health. He also reaffirmed EPHI’s commitment to the sucess of the project.
On behalf of Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC; Dr. Claudes Kamenga, Chief of Staff and Head of the Executive Office, Africa CDC
emphasised the importance of addressing sustainability from the project design phase. He called upon Member States to take full ownership, drive implementation at the national level and ensure that laboratory systems established under this project are integrated into national budgets to ensure long-term impact. He reaffirmed Africa CDC’s commitment to providing leadership and continental coordination for the success of the project.
Acting Director Centre for Laboratory Diagnostics and Systems, Africa CDC Dr. Yenew Kebede indicated that without targeted investment, this gap is expected to widen as populations grow. Only 20% of these laboratories currently use automated systems for pathogen identification or antimicrobial susceptibility testing, which limits timely diagnosis and weakens evidence-based treatment. ARILAC responds directly to this challenge by strengthening laboratory networks, introducing modern technologies, improving quality assurance and connecting laboratory data to national and continental AMR surveillance systems.
According to Mr Nqobile Ndlovu, ASLM Chief Executive Officer; the project will support laboratory assessments, updated surveillance guidelines, supervision, mentorship and participation in regional quality assessment schemes. It will also improve biobanking capacity and expand access to automated systems for bacterial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and blood culture.
Head of Policy and Cooperation at the EU Delegation to the African Union, Mr. Gianluca Azzoni, reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s health security through strategic partnerships and sustainable investment. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration with Africa CDC,
ASLM, and Member States in advancing a One Health approach to AMR, strengthening surveillance systems, supporting local manufacturing, improving equitable access to diagnostics, and unlocking the power of digital health and real-time data for decision-making.