2025: A milestone year for the EDCTP movement

Dear colleagues, partners and friends, 

As the year draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to reflect on 2025, a year in which the value and impact of the EDCTP programmes have clearly been demonstrated. 

Since 2003, EDCTP has grown from a bold idea into a unique Europe-Africa partnership supported by the European Union (EU) and now 46 countries through the EDCTP Association. Together, we have built an ecosystem rooted in equity, scientific excellence and shared purpose, delivering solutions for the infectious diseases that continue to threaten the world’s most vulnerable communities and to jeopardise global health security. 

Our contribution to both Europe and Africa is tangible. Over the past twenty years, EDCTP-supported research has delivered nine innovations that are already improving lives, from the first malaria vaccines to new paediatric formulations for HIV, TB and neglected tropical diseases.  

The EDCTP programmes have also supported more than 3,000 African scientists and health professionals, many of whom now lead major institutions and research programmes across the continent.  

I invite you to read more about the lasting benefits of EDCTP for Europe and Africa for an overview of these achievements, in addition to a recently published joint opinion piece on the added value of EDCTP co-signed by the CEOs of three of our longstanding partners. 

As I underlined at the POLITICO Health Care Summit last November: success in global health is measured in millions of lives saved every year, in healthier and more resilient communities, and in greater opportunity for those who are too often left behind. By that measure, EDCTP’s return on investment is remarkable, and still growing. 

Mobilised co-investments 

In 2025, we made excellent progress in mobilising new co-investments for research and capacity-building to tackle infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Thanks to the additional cash commitments from our EDCTP Association members for grants and calls for proposals, we secured a cumulative total commitment of €35 million. 

Furthermore, EDCTP Association members significantly expanded their in-kind contributions, fully aligned with the Global Health EDCTP3 mandate. These activities now amount to over €700 million in estimated value. And looking ahead, commitments from our contributing partners are expected to rise in 2026 to a cumulative total of more than €150 million, following the introduction of new co-funding mechanisms in 2025. 

With these projected resources, I am delighted to say that Global Health EDCTP3 is firmly on track to surpass its initial leverage goal of mobilising €1 for every €1 invested by the EU through the Horizon Europe programme. This is a powerful reflection of the strong engagement of all our partners, and of our shared dedication to tackling infectious diseases and strengthening global health security. 

Evolution of the programme 

Over the past two decades, EDCTP has grown from a pioneering vision into the world’s largest health research funding partnership between Europe and Africa. This remarkable evolution is reflected in our cumulative investments, which have expanded steadily across all three programmes: EDCTP1, EDCTP2 and now Global Health EDCTP3. 

The upward curve in the chart below tells a compelling story: it highlights how sustained commitment from the EU, African and European member countries, and our contributing partners has continuously elevated the scale and ambition of our work.  

I am confident that this strong foundation will enable Global Health EDCTP3 to continue its mission at a time when global funding is under increasing pressure. Sustained collective effort will be essential to preserve the gains made so far and address the multiple challenges that infectious diseases continue to pose for global health security.   

Our portfolio as of 2025 

Since its launch in 2022, Global Health EDCTP3 has continued to build a diverse and forward-looking project portfolio. Our calls for proposals have drawn exceptional interest from research teams around the world, enabling us to support high-quality, innovative projects that advance global priorities across a broad spectrum of infectious diseases. 

This year, 33 new projects joined Global Health EDCTP3’s expanding project portfolio, building on the achievements of previous programmes and reflecting the increasing scope and maturity of the partnership. 

Since 2022, Global Health EDCTP3 has funded 107 projects fostering research and innovation, with a total contribution of €430 million.  

These include 91 projects (€413 million) accelerating the development of medical countermeasures tackling infectious diseases, and 16 projects (€17 million) focused on capacity building, networking and training.  

Nearly 400 entities are involved across these initiatives and, in the true spirit of a partnership of equals, 50% of the funded entities are based in Africa and 45% in Europe. 

Education and research organisations represent 65% of the participating entities in our funded projects. It is also encouraging to see that small & medium enterprises (SMEs), product development partnerships (PDPs) and private for-profit institutions participate in nearly 60% of the projects we fund. 

Disease areas 

*Cross-disease and disease not specific refers to projects that tackle a wide range of infectious diseases or have a wider objective that is not disease-dependent, such as certain networks and fellowships. 

Type of intervention 

*Cross-intervention and intervention not specific refers to projects that tackle a wide range of interventions or have a wider objective that is not intervention-dependent, such as certain networks and fellowships. 

Contribution to scientific, technological and societal challenges 

You can explore the Global Health EDCTP3 project portfolio further on our website. 

Growing external recognition 

In 2025, Global Health EDCTP3’s visibility and influence continued to rise across the global health and policy landscape. Our work was referenced in analyses and reports by leading international organisations, including the World Economic Forum, Impact Global Health, the Centre for European Policy Studies, and the Danish Alliance for Global Health. These independent mentions reflect the recognition of EDCTP’s growing role in shaping evidence and policy discussions on infectious diseases and global health R&I.  

Over the course of the year, we also featured prominently at major international events. EDCTP speakers contributed to over 45 scientific and policy fora across Europe and Africa, including the World Health Summit, the EU-AU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation, the POLITICO Health Care Summit, and the Union World Conference on Lung Health.  

Our digital footprint also expanded this year, with increasing engagement across our communication channels, now reaching 26,000+ followers on LinkedIn, 47,000 visitors to our website, and a growing newsletter audience of over 4,000 subscribers. I am convinced that this international reach reflects the global relevance of our work.   

New research opportunities 

On 3 December 2025, we published our Work Programme 2026, making €147 million available for calls for proposals on tuberculosis, lower respiratory tract infections, HIV and climate-change-driven infectious diseases, among other priorities. The calls for proposals will open for applications by mid-January 2026. 

I encourage you to join our online Info Day on 5 February 2026, where colleagues will present the call topics, explain legal and financial aspects, and answer your questions. A networking platform is already available to pitch ideas and to schedule meetings as of January 2026. This is an excellent tool to form strong consortia, prepare competitive project proposals, and seek contributing partners. 

In 2026, we will continue supporting Global Collaboration Action calls, allowing contributing partners to leverage their resources through four research and innovation topics. By joining forces, we can amplify impact and accelerate progress, thus I invite interested partners to get involved via the networking platform. 

Looking at the future with hope and optimism 

Although we will continue implementing and closing out activities until 2031, 2026 marks our penultimate funding year under Global Health EDCTP3. It will also be the year when formal negotiations on our future begin. 

The current challenges in global health make it essential to maintain strong progress toward our targets, clearly showcase our achievements and value for both Europe and Africa, and actively strengthen our collaborations, including with contributing partners. These efforts are crucial to turning today’s crisis into an opportunity, demonstrating that global health leadership is ultimately about partnership, and making a compelling case for an ambitious successor to Global Health EDCTP3. 

Stronger governance  

Equity has always been at the core of EDCTP, and our governance model reflects that commitment.  

In 2025, the membership of all three of our governing bodies was renewed in part or whole, bringing fresh leadership and expertise to guide us through a critical period for the programme’s future. 

We warmly welcomed María Pilar Aguar Fernández, Director for ‘People: Health and Society’ at DG Research and Innovation, as the new vice-Chair, and soon Chair, of our Governing Board. Her leadership will be essential as negotiations for a future EDCTP programme advance next year. 

Our Scientific Committee was also renewed, with Professor Harleen Grewal appointed Chair. This group of independent experts plays a central role in shaping our scientific agenda. 

In 2025, we also invited expressions of interest for membership of our Stakeholders’ Group, with the new members of this important advisory body expected to be announced in January 2026. 

Celebrating the EDCTP movement 

One of the highlights of 2025 was the Twelfth EDCTP Forum, which brought together 1,200 delegates to Kigali for a vibrant celebration of our partnership. The sense of community, purpose and ambition was deeply inspiring. 

I am delighted to announce that the Thirteenth EDCTP Forum will take place in Madrid, Spain, from 5-9 April 2027. Please save the dates, it promises to be our most significant Forum yet and a key moment in the global health calendar. 

And, as we step into 2026, I would like to invite you to stay connected with us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates. 

Thank you for your enduring trust, support and hard work throughout these two decades. It is a privilege to lead and work alongside such a dynamic, committed and inspiring community. 

I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful festive season and a very Happy New Year. 

Dr Michael Makanga 
Executive Director, Global Health EDCTP3