The WHO African Region has continued to achieve significant milestones in eradicating, eliminating and controlling communicable and noncommunicable diseases and improving maternal, child and adolescent health. Cabo Verde became the first sub-Saharan African country in 50 years to eliminate malaria, while Guinea eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus, and Chad eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) as a public health problem. Innovations like vector management, high immunization coverage, and systematic surveillance, enhanced health equity and reduced mortality. Additionally, Namibia made significant progress towards eliminating vertical transmission of hepatitis B and HIV through integrated, person-centred approaches. 

In 2024, the Secretariat provided logistics support for health emergency operations to Member States through the Dakar and Nairobi Hubs, leveraging their teams and strategically positioned warehouses. The prepositioning of emergency stockpiles significantly reduced response lead times, ensuring faster access to critical medical supplies where they were needed most.

During the first year of the biennium, the Hubs collectively managed 263 inbound shipments, strategically prepositioning over US$ 8.5 million worth of critical emergency supplies and equipment to enhance response readiness. Leveraging these stockpiles, they delivered 232 shipments valued at US$ 6 833 767.86 to 46 Member States. These supplies played a vital role in outbreak and humanitarian responses, supporting efforts against cholera, mpox, Marburg virus disease, dengue, yellow fever and diphtheria, as well as emergencies caused by cyclones, flooding, and civil unrest.

Beyond supply chain operations, OSL supported the Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Cluster and the Malawi Country Office in implementing key health projects funded by DG-HERA and the World Bank. Through the DG-HERA Laboratory and Genomic Sequencing Capacity Strengthening Project, laboratory items worth US$ 871 188.51 were procured for Burundi, the Central African Republic, Comoros, Eritrea, Liberia, and Togo. Additionally, under the WCO Malawi-World Bank project, OSL facilitated the procurement of essential medicines and laboratory equipment totalling US$ 2 008 654.52, further strengthening national health systems. 

WHO deployed 157 experts across the Region, including 46 through the African Volunteers Health Corps-Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies (AVoHC-SURGE) initiative, 90 from the internal WHO Elite Emergency Experts (Triple E) roster, and 21 external consultants. To bolster clinical case management, WHO coordinated the deployment of 12 international and 8 national Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs). Additionally, 12 regional Incident Management Support Teams (IMSTs) were activated to provide technical assistance for countries facing Grade 2 and Grade 3 emergencies.

In response to mpox outbreaks, WHO supported 22 countries with the deployment of experts, training of over 250 health workers, shipment of 12 tonnes of medical supplies, and shipment of 890 880 vaccine doses targeting priority populations. The first-ever continental Incident Management System (IMS) co-led by WHO, Africa CDC and key partners was established in Kinshasa in September 2024, enhancing joint coordination and response leadership. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, WHO scaled up mpox control through the delivery of 33.5 tonnes of emergency medical supplies and 3500 GeneXpert cartridges, integrating 300 polio-trained surveillance officers to reinforce outbreak detection and response.

WHO supported cholera response efforts in 18 countries, delivering 88 tonnes of medical supplies and facilitating the administration of 13.6 million oral cholera vaccine (OCV) doses. In Zambia and Zimbabwe, case reductions of 95.2% and 75.8%, respectively, were achieved through intensified interventions, decentralized care models, and strengthened community engagement.

Through the SURGE flagship initiative, WHO trained over 2300 emergency responders across 30 countries. Seventeen countries activated their national rosters for local emergencies, while 13 countries deployed experts regionally. Notably, during the MVD response in Rwanda, 40 AVoHC-SURGE responders from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Uganda were deployed within 48 hours – demonstrating regional solidarity and readiness. This investment reduced response time, minimized dependence on external surge mechanisms, and reinforced national ownership and autonomy.

Multisectoral collaboration has advanced health policies, strengthened enforcement, and improved accountability across Africa. Key outcomes include unified enforcement frameworks for tobacco control in Gambia and Kenya, alongside high-level engagements with the African Union Commission and at the International Forum on Health in All Policies (HiAP) in Algeria.

Initiatives in Namibia, Benin and Sierra Leone improved road safety strategies, leading to a revised national reporting plan, enhanced data management, and a new national strategy. Existing structures were leveraged for accountability, with Namibia refining its Tobacco Control Act, Cameroon advancing tobacco tax reforms, and Sierra Leone using WHO’s TaxSiM model to strengthen fiscal accountability. The initiative for regulatory and fiscal capacity building on healthy diets and physical activity (RECAP) fostered interdepartmental collaboration and knowledge exchange on restricting unhealthy food marketing across five countries in the Region.

Capacity-building efforts empowered stakeholders, with Uganda training representatives of civil society organizations in tobacco advocacy and Botswana enhancing enforcement. The Climate and Health Africa Conference emphasized early warning systems for climate-related health risks.

With WHO providing sustained technical support, policy guidance and capacity-building, Member States in the African Region are making measurable progress in reducing the health burden associated with tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diets. These efforts are driving the development and implementation of robust national policies, strengthening multisectoral coordination, and fostering healthier food environments. Collectively, these advancements are contributing to improved public health outcomes and accelerating progress towards the achievement of universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.

As of 2024, forty-five Member States had ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and 22 had endorsed the Protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products. More than 800 professionals across 22 countries have been trained in tobacco taxation and enforcement. In Kenya and Zambia, over 9000 farmers have transitioned to alternative crops through the Tobacco-Free Farms initiative, promoting both health and sustainable livelihoods. Efforts to regulate alcohol consumption have led to the development of national alcohol policies in 19 countries, supported by the SAFER technical package. These efforts contributed to a reduction in per capita alcohol consumption from 6.3 litres in 2016 to 4.2 litres in 2020.

The Secretariat has played a pivotal role in consolidating change in Africa, significantly adding value to the Region's health outcomes. Through initiatives like "Institutionalizing Change Management", the Secretariat has focused on developing plans to consolidate the achievements of the Transformation Agenda. This structured approach ensures that change management is not only implemented but also sustainable, even in a resource-constrained environment. Most of Transformation Agenda initiatives have been transferred to the Human Resources and Talent Unit to ensure their sustainability.

AFRO's contributions in Corporate Change Management meetings have also been instrumental in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.