Africa CDC, the African Union’s public health agency, has estimated the cost of a coordinated continent-wide Ebola response plan at $318.97 million, the agency announced on May 24. The budget, covering the period from June to November 2026, is part of a regional response coordinated with African and international health partners. The plan aims to contain the outbreak and prevent the virus from spreading across Central and East Africa, where several countries still have fragile health systems and limited surveillance capacity.

Of the total budget, $264.97 million, or 84.1%, will be allocated to frontline response operations in the two affected countries. The funds will support treatment centers, surveillance, testing, infection prevention, case management and public awareness campaigns.

A further $54 million will be used to strengthen health preparedness in ten African countries considered at high risk. The funding will help improve contingency plans, surveillance at points of entry, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and the creation of strategic stockpiles of medical supplies.

The plan also includes risk communication and community engagement activities aimed at encouraging compliance with health measures. It further provides support for research into medical countermeasures, with the goal of strengthening long-term response capacity against the virus.

The initiative comes amid heightened vigilance among African health authorities following several major Ebola outbreaks reported in recent years in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It also reflects the determination of Africa CDC and the African Union to reinforce continental mechanisms for responding to health emergencies.

According to the WHO office in the DRC, more than 900 suspected cases have been recorded so far, including 101 confirmed cases.

“The African Union stands in full solidarity with the peoples and Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda at this critical time,” Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, president of the AU Commission, said at a press briefing.

“Africa has overcome major public health challenges before, and through unity, coordination, and collective action, we shall overcome this one as well,” he added.

Carelle Yourann, with Ecofin Agency