In Addis Ababa, African Union states agreed a shared rulebook for health data

After two days of talks in Addis Ababa on October 21 and 22, African Union member states validated a first continental framework for how health data should be protected, governed and shared. Led by Africa CDC with support from Transform Health, the framework sets shared principles — lawful, secure, ethical handling of health information — while keeping each country in control of its own systems, so data can be exchanged across borders for disease surveillance without handing over national oversight. Validation is a step, not the finish line: formal AU adoption is expected to be considered in 2027, and national implementation comes after that.

SDG 3 · Good health and well-being — Mechanism: institutional program