The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced a major strategic partnership with Informa Markets, a global leader in large-scale event management. The collaboration, formalised on 17 January 2026, is designed to significantly scale up the Africa CDC International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) and other key public health gatherings on the continent.
A Strategic Alliance for Health Sovereignty
The partnership was cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Dr Jean Kaseya, the Director-General of Africa CDC, and Mr Peter Hall, President for the Middle East, India, Türkiye and Africa at Informa Markets. This alliance strategically merges Africa CDC's scientific authority and policy direction with Informa Markets' extensive international expertise in organising world-class events.
Dr Kaseya emphasised that this move reinforces the institution's dedication to ensuring African ownership of public health priorities. "CPHIA has become a critical forum for African experts and leaders to set the continent’s health security agenda," he stated. "Informa Markets’ support will help expand the conference’s reach and impact while preserving Africa CDC’s leadership and strategic ownership."
Elevating Africa's Premier Health Dialogue Platform
Since its launch in December 2021, CPHIA has rapidly established itself as the continent's foremost platform for public health dialogue. It has successfully convened four editions, bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders including:
- Heads of State and health ministers
- Leading researchers and scientists
- Frontline healthcare workers
- Private-sector leaders and international partners
The new partnership directly supports the Africa CDC 2023–2027 Strategic Plan and its Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda. Informa Markets, known for organising major events like the World Health Expo, will leverage its five-decade experience and global network to enhance CPHIA's scale, visibility, and international profile.
Looking Ahead to CPHIA 2026 in Ethiopia
The immediate focus of this collaboration is the upcoming fifth edition, CPHIA 2026, which is scheduled to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The conference is anticipated to attract thousands of delegates from across Africa and the world.
Peter Hall of Informa Markets described the partnership as a meeting of minds with a shared vision for Africa's health future. "Together, we will ensure CPHIA 2026 delivers lasting value for Africa’s public health ecosystem," he affirmed. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in institutionalising a home-grown, globally recognised forum that shapes the continent's health security landscape for years to come.
