Tanzania Secures $25M Pandemic Fund Grant to Bolster National Health Security

In a major boost to its health security infrastructure, the United Republic of Tanzania has been awarded a US$25 million grant from the Pandemic Fund, an international financing mechanism designed to help countries better prepare for and respond to health emergencies. This core funding is complemented by an additional US$7 million in co-investment and US$6.7 million in co-financing, underscoring the collaborative strength behind this ambitious initiative.

The project will be delivered under the One Health approach, bringing together coordinated interventions across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. It is being implemented jointly by three global agencies: the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and UNICEF, each bringing critical technical capacities to ensure comprehensive national preparedness.

Building a Resilient Health System for the Future

As the world grapples with an era of increasingly frequent disease outbreaks, Tanzania is acting proactively to strengthen its national ability to prevent, detect, and respond to pandemic threats. Despite commendable strides in public health and a strong commitment to the International Health Regulations (IHR), the country still contends with pressing challenges. These include:

• Limited laboratory and specimen referral capacity

• Inadequate biosafety and biosecurity systems

• Gaps in early warning and disease surveillance mechanisms

• Zoonotic and cross-border transmission threats due to high population mobility

The newly funded project seeks to address these systemic weaknesses through targeted capacity-building efforts aligned with the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS). The initiative aims not only to bolster technical capabilities but also to ensure equity and inclusivity, with a strong emphasis on reaching vulnerable populations such as the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Strategic Oversight and Multi-Ministerial Coordination

At the helm of the project is the Ministry of Health, working in close collaboration with the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. This ensures that the intervention spans both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, aligning national-level priorities with local realities.

The implementation is backed by a broad coalition of partners, including multilateral agencies, local civil society actors, health professionals, and development partners, all committed to collective health security.

Role of Implementing Entities: A Triangular Partnership

The project leverages the unique strengths of its three implementing entities:

• FAO will focus on strengthening animal health systems and zoonotic disease management through enhanced veterinary services, training, and early detection strategies.

• UNICEF will lead on risk communication and community engagement, a critical pillar for fostering public trust and behavior change, especially during public health emergencies.

• WHO will concentrate on reinforcing human health system capacities, including disease surveillance, laboratory services, and emergency preparedness frameworks.

The tripartite collaboration is designed to ensure cross-sectoral coherence and avoid duplication, while optimizing impact across diverse health system pillars.

A Vision for 2027: Surveillance, Readiness, and Resilience

The multi-year project aims to establish, by 2027, an integrated, resilient disease surveillance and response system capable of effectively monitoring, detecting, and managing emerging threats. Specific outcomes include:

• Expanded laboratory diagnostic networks

• Improved biosecurity and specimen transport systems

• Stronger frontline health worker capacity

• Digitalized data systems for real-time surveillance

• Institutionalized community health structures

• Enhanced coordination across ministries and regions

This upgraded system will place Tanzania at the forefront of regional and global health security efforts, contributing to pandemic prevention not only domestically but across East Africa and beyond.

The Broader Context: Growth Amid Health Risks

Tanzania’s economy, buoyed by natural resources, agriculture, and a vibrant tourism industry, continues to grow steadily. However, increased urbanization, climate change, and porous borders pose rising risks of zoonotic diseases and epidemic spillovers. The project is therefore both a public health investment and an economic safeguard, ensuring that gains in development are not reversed by health shocks.

This initiative also reflects the global community’s recognition of Tanzania’s political will and institutional readiness to lead by example in pandemic preparedness. It positions the country as a critical player in advancing the objectives of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and other multilateral frameworks focused on resilient health systems.

A Collective Effort, A Shared Responsibility

This endeavor marks a significant step toward safeguarding lives and livelihoods against future outbreaks. It exemplifies what can be achieved when governments, multilateral organizations, and local actors work together with shared vision and responsibility.

In the words of project stakeholders: “The health of one is the health of all. Strengthening Tanzania’s pandemic readiness strengthens the world’s.”

As Tanzania continues to advance its development goals, this investment ensures that its health systems are not just reactive, but robust, inclusive, and future-proof—ready to protect the well-being of every citizen, from urban centers to remote rural communities.