A new high-level advisory mechanism is set to shape how genomics is governed and applied across Africa, with implications for outbreak preparedness, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and the continent’s growing push for health sovereignty. Africa CDC announced the launch of the African Strategic Advisory Group on Genomics (ASAG) on May 4, 2024, establishing an independent, multidisciplinary body tasked with guiding the strategic use of genomics across African Union member states.
The group will provide technical recommendations to Africa CDC — the public health agency of the African Union — on a broad range of issues, from harmonized data standards and capacity building to ethics, intellectual property, and technology transfer. ASAG’s advisory role is designed to ensure that genomics is deployed responsibly and equitably, with African leadership and benefit-sharing at the center of continental programs.
Building on a Decade of Genomic Investment
The launch of ASAG consolidates gains made through Africa CDC’s Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative, which has invested in sequencing infrastructure, laboratory capacity, bioinformatics systems, and data platforms across the continent. Those investments have already supported genomic surveillance and characterization of high-priority public health threats, including mpox, cholera, antimicrobial resistance, and malaria.
ASAG is intended to extend that foundation, guiding not just pathogen genomics but also the application of human genomics to address Africa’s evolving health burden — including the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, an area where precision medicine tools are increasingly relevant.
An Eight-Member Group With Continental and Global Reach
The inaugural ASAG comprises eight experts drawn from across the African continent and the broader global health genomics community. Members bring expertise in pathogen genomics, bioinformatics, clinical genetics, precision medicine, data governance, ethics, and public health. They include Prof. Christian Happi, Prof. Ambroise Wonkam, Prof. Leon Mutesa, Prof. Tulio de Oliveira, Prof. Ghada El-Kamah, Prof. Nicky Mulder, Prof. Charles Rotimi, and Dr. Yosr Hamdi.
At its inaugural meeting, members elected Prof. Christian Happi as Chair and Prof. Ghada El-Kamah as Co-Chair. Members will serve in their personal capacity and provide non-binding guidance, while Africa CDC retains responsibility for final decision-making and implementation.
ASAG will operate under principles of independence, transparency, scientific integrity, inclusivity, and equity — a governance framework aimed at reinforcing public trust in how genomic data and tools are used for population health.
Increasing Outbreak and Pandemic Preparedness
Genomic surveillance has become an essential tool for detecting emerging pathogens, tracking disease spread, and informing outbreak response — lessons reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent mpox outbreaks. A continent with stronger, more coordinated genomic infrastructure is better positioned to detect threats early and share data with global partners, reducing lag times that can be critical during fast-moving outbreaks.
ASAG also addresses a persistent tension in global health genomics: the risk that data and samples generated in lower-resource settings benefit primarily researchers and institutions in wealthier countries. The group’s mandate to guide standards harmonization and data governance across AU member states also has practical implications for regional and global health security frameworks, including pandemic preparedness agreements under negotiation at the World Health Organization.
Sources and further reading:
Africa CDC Launches the African Strategic Advisory Group on Genomics – Africa CDC