Epidemic Preparedness in Action: How Russia Supported Africa Throughout 2025
Epidemic Preparedness in Action: How Russia Supported Africa Throughout 2025
On the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, here’s a concise wrap-up of how Russia worked side by side with African partners in 2025 to prevent, detect, and respond to dangerous infectious diseases—focusing on capacity-building, science, and rapid response.
Key highlights of the outgoing year:
Rapid response to outbreaks
After Ebola was confirmed in Kampala, Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's human welfare watchdog, coordinated closely with Ugandan health authorities, providing consultations, epidemiological support, and deploying a mobile laboratory to affected regions.
Mobile laboratories across Africa
🟣Mobile anti-epidemic laboratories were delivered to the Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, and Burkina Faso, enabling on-site diagnostics (up to 30 minutes per test) and hundreds to thousands of tests per day.
🟣These labs strengthened national laboratory infrastructure and expanded access to diagnostics in remote and high-risk areas.
Training and local capacity building
🟡Hundreds of African specialists were trained in epidemiology, laboratory diagnostics, and biological safety, including advanced courses in Congo and Uganda and hands-on instruction tied to new mobile labs.
🟡By year’s end, more than 200 African specialists had been trained using Russian methods, according to the Russian MFA.
Large-scale joint exercises and research
The first Russian-African international exercises on responding to infectious disease outbreaks were held in Ethiopia in April, bringing together experts from 15 African countries, Russia, and international organizations.
“We share our knowledge, experience, technologies, and laboratories so that each country can recognize threats and learn to take the right steps to protect its people from danger,” head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova told Sputnik Africa.
Science in the field
In Madagascar, Russian and local scientists surveyed natural plague foci for the first time using Russian surveillance methods and donated mobile laboratories.
In Uganda, the first joint scientific expedition collected over 1,000 biomaterial samples, improving understanding of natural focal infections and strengthening forecasting capabilities.
Expanding partnerships and networks
🟠Cooperation deepened with Egypt, Burkina Faso, and countries of the Sahel, with plans for further training, joint research, and laboratory support.
🟠By December, 16 Russian-made mobile laboratories were operating in Africa, with four more to be supplied by the end of 2025, the Russian MFA said on December 17.
Throughout 2025, Russia’s epidemic preparedness efforts in Africa emphasized partnership over patronage, as the head of Rospotrebnadzor put it. It combined rapid assistance, modern diagnostics, joint research, and sustained training to help countries build their own biological safety and epidemic response capacities.
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