The African Union and Kofi Annan Foundation launched the Kofi Annan Fellowship in May 2020 under the authority of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The Fellowship provides a year-long, high-level professional development experience for its participants such as advanced leadership and diplomatic skills. The Fellowship targets emerging and established leaders with diverse backgrounds in public health to effectively strategise, manage and lead transformative public health programmes in Africa.

UKHSA’s IHR- SP has played a pivotal role in supporting the Africa CDC throughout the development and implementation of this Fellowship. Dr Martin Muita, the IHR-SP Regional Lead at Africa CDC led this initiative from its inception, under the guidance of then Director Dr John Nkengasong. Dr Muita chaired the steering committee for the Fellowship's early stages, ensuring its successful launch until a full-time director was appointed in December 2020. UKHSA IHR-SP has actively supported the programme in recruitment, leadership sessions and mentoring Fellows.  

On 10 May 2024, the programme celebrated the graduation of the third cohort of 20 Fellows from 13 African Union member states. Fifty nine fellows from 27 countries have graduated since 2021. Each cohort has twenty fellows with female fellows comprising over 50%.

Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme third cohort graduates

As the Africa CDC launches its fourth cohort, the programme has expanded to twenty-five to include five fellows who will focus on mental health leadership, recognising the growing importance of mental health in public health. This reflects an inclusive approach to public health, addressing both the physical and mental health needs of populations. For this year, the fellowship received over 6,000 applicants for the 25 slots highlighting its success and relevance among the public health professionals.

The UKHSA IHR-SP’s involvement underscores the importance of international partnership and collaboration with Africa CDC in building public health workforce for Africa.

Dr Muita reflected on the last three years of IHR-SP support to the fellowship, saying: "The Fellowship is both historical and a game-changer in building world-class public health leaders to implement Africa’s new public health order. Let us build the Africa we want’’.

 Dr Muita IHR-SP Regional Lead at Africa CDC (centre) celebrates with new Fellows