Africa CDC Statement on the Financing of the Response to the Ebola Epidemic in the DRC

Addis-Abeba, October 15, 2026 Following the press conference held on October 14, 2026, in Kinshasa by its Director General, His Excellency Dr Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC wishes to reaffirm and clarify the messages he clearly expressed regarding transparency and accountability in the financing of the response to the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During this press conference, Dr Jean Kaseya indicated that international donors had disbursed nearly 962 million US dollars directly to various international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) responsible for implementing the Ebola response activities. He clearly and publicly specified that these 962 million USD had not been disbursed to the Government of the DRC, but directly to the implementing partners. Any interpretation suggesting that these resources were transferred to the Congolese Government is therefore contrary to the statements made by the Director General of Africa CDC. Dr Jean Kaseya also indicated that during a meeting organized by the Director General of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), with the support of Dr Hyppolite Kalambay, Africa CDC Country Director in the DRC, only 30% of the concerned organizations had participated and shared their financial information. These organizations stated that they had received approximately 220 million USD, of which 120 million USD had already been used for response activities and 100 million USD remained to be used. Thus, out of the 962 million USD disbursed by donors, more than 700 million USD remain unknown to the national authorities of the DRC. This represents a major deficit in transparency and financial communication from these organizations, which does not allow the Government to have a complete view of the mobilized resources, their use, and the results obtained. Africa CDC strongly regrets the lack of cooperation from the organizations which, despite the requests from Africa CDC and national authorities, still have not communicated the necessary information. It is unacceptable that organizations receive hundreds of millions of dollars to intervene in a country facing a major health emergency without transparently reporting to the national authorities responsible for coordinating the response. Africa CDC reminds that national sovereignty comes with responsibilities, but it also imposes on partners to respect the national mechanisms for coordination, transparency, and accountability. In this regard, Africa CDC will work closely with the Government of the DRC to achieve a full reconciliation of the financing, identify the resources received by each organization, document the expenditures made, the amounts available, the activities financed, and the results obtained for the benefit of the affected populations. Africa CDC will support the administrative and regulatory measures that the Government of the DRC deems necessary, in accordance with its legislation and applicable procedures, against organizations that persist in refusing their obligations of transparency and accountability. These measures could extend to the suspension or withdrawal of their accreditation or authorization to operate on the national territory. Africa CDC may also bring to the attention of the competent authorities of other African countries the names of these organizations that do not respect African governments. Africa CDC reaffirms its full commitment alongside the Government and the people of Congo for a response led by national leadership, based on the coordination, transparency, responsibility, and accountability of all actors, without exception. ### About Africa CDC The African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention are the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports the Member States of the AU in strengthening health systems, improving disease surveillance, and enhancing preparedness and response to health emergencies.