The Africa Public Health Foundation (APHF) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Africa’s response to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through their continued collaboration under the Strengthening Public Health Surveillance and Resilient Knowledge for Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa (SPARK NCD) Programme. During a courtesy visit to APHF offices, the two organisations reviewed progress under SPARK NCD 1, explored opportunities to scale up implementation and discussed preparations for for SPARK NCD 2.
During a partnership meeting, the two organisations reviewed progress made under SPARK NCD 1, reflected on implementation experiences and discussed opportunities to strengthen the programme’s reach, sustainability and impact across the continent. The discussions highlighted the importance of the APHF/Africa CDC partnership in bringing together technical expertise, strategic coordination and resource mobilisation to support the implementation of critical public health initiatives.
Building on Progress and Lessons from SPARK NCD
A central focus of the meeting was the progress achieved through SPARK NCD 1 and the lessons emerging from its implementation. Both organisations recognised the importance of consolidating these experiences, identifying areas requiring improvement and applying the lessons learned to strengthen future programme delivery.
An upcoming workshop in Zambia will provide an opportunity to advance the finalisation of programme manuscripts, consolidate the work undertaken and translate the programme’s experiences into tangible outputs. The workshop will also contribute to shaping the next phase of the initiative, ensuring that the knowledge and lessons generated through SPARK NCD 1 inform the design and implementation of SPARK NCD 2.
Expanding Reach Through Strategic Collaboration &mobilising resources for Africa’s Health Sovereignty Agenda
Discussions further explored opportunities to expand the programme’s geographical coverage across Africa, strengthen engagement with partners and build on the existing foundation to reach more countries and stakeholders. The collaboration also presents opportunities for closer technical engagement, particularly in identifying areas where APHF can support Africa CDC through resource mobilisation, partnership development and access to funding opportunities.
Both organisations emphasised the importance of proactively pursuing competitive funding opportunities, developing joint proposals and leveraging their complementary strengths to unlock additional resources for public health priorities. Strengthening domestic resource mobilisation and reducing long-term dependence on external financing were recognised as important elements of advancing Africa’s health financing sovereignty agenda
The meeting underscored the catalytic role of APHF in mobilising resources and attracting investments that can support Africa CDC’s public health priorities. Beyond securing external funding, discussions highlighted the importance of using catalytic investments to encourage greater domestic financing by African Union Member States.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for SPARK NCD 2
As the partnership looks towards SPARK NCD 2, the focus remains on translating the progress and lessons of the first phase into a stronger, more scalable and sustainable programme. Through continued collaboration, technical engagement and resource mobilisation, APHF and Africa CDC aim to strengthen collective efforts towards addressing NCDs and advancing Africa’s public health priorities.The partnership reflects a shared commitment to moving beyond programme implementation towards sustainable impact, stronger African-led health systems and greater ownership of the continent’s health agenda.
