Africa CDC Unveils Roadmap to Eradicate Cervical Cancer by 2030

In a landmark step towards eradicating cervical cancer on the continent, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has endorsed the Africa Accelerated Roadmap to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030.

The announcement followed the conclusion of the Continental Consultative Meeting, marking a significant milestone in addressing one of Africa's most preventable yet deadly cancers.

Cervical cancer remains a critical public health issue in Africa, claiming the lives of over 90,000 women annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Limited access to prevention, screening, and treatment services has disproportionately affected women in low-income communities, where cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths.

The roadmap outlines strategic interventions to accelerate progress, including scaling up HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment services across the continent, and establishing three Centres of Excellence (COEs) to drive innovation, research, and capacity building.

• • Rwanda: A global leader with over 90% HPV vaccination coverage since 2011, innovative screening methods, and access to treatment in 350 health centers.
  • Morocco: A model for school-based HPV vaccination programs, cancer treatment centers, and accessible healthcare services.
  • Zambia: A trailblazer in screening more than 1.9 million women and introducing advanced cervical cancer treatments.

These COEs will serve as regional hubs to advance research, train healthcare professionals, and pilot scalable innovations.

To operationalize the roadmap, Africa CDC has committed to:

• Validating the roadmap with key stakeholders.
• Finalizing Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Technical Working Group.
• Operationalizing the COEs, ensuring they become fully functional hubs for addressing cervical cancer.

The endorsement of the roadmap aligns with the WHO’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by achieving the 90-70-90 targets: 90% HPV vaccination, 70% screening coverage, and 90% access to treatment by 2030.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, described the initiative as a "critical step under the New Public Health Order" and emphasized the importance of sustained investment in prevention and treatment infrastructure.

As the roadmap progresses, Africa CDC calls for coordinated efforts among governments, development partners, and civil society to ensure the vision of a cervical cancer-free Africa becomes a reality.