Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global public health crisis, disproportionately
impacting Africa. The continent bears the world’s highest AMR mortality rate, accounting for over
700,000 deaths annually—a number projected to soar to 10 million by 2050 without urgent
intervention according to the Africa CDC (2024).
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to the effects of drugs
that once killed them or inhibited their growth. This resistance, often driven by the overuse and
misuse of antibiotics, makes previously treatable infections increasingly difficult or impossible to
cure. As a result, antibiotic resistant infections are leading to longer hospital stays, higher medical
costs, and, tragically, more deaths.*
To fight against antimicrobial resistance, several initiatives are ongoing on the continent, supporting
country health systems and laboratories. One such initiative is the Joint Programming Initiative on
Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR). This global collaborative platform is funded and driven by several
participating countries to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with a One Health approach. The One
Health approach and AMR are closely related concepts because drug-resistant pathogens can spread
between and within animals, humans, plants, and through the environment thus requiring
coordinated action and collaboration across sectors.
Sida-APHRC Partnership: JPIAMR Fund Management
Under the JPIAMR initiative, several consortia, comprising both European and African partners, have
been awarded funding to tackle the complex challenges of AMR. Recognizing the importance of
strengthening African participation, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
(Sida) committed to supporting African institutions and universities within the framework of JPIAMR.
To ensure efficient fund management and build capacity, Sida assigned its fund management role to
the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). In addition to managing the grants,
APHRC proposed and incorporated capacity-building activities to strengthen the institutional and
grant management capabilities of sub-grantees, ensuring the successful implementation of projects
and long-term sustainability of outcomes.
The initiative advances the One Health approach by building networks of AMR researchers across
human health, animal health, and environmental sectors, and strengthening engagement with policy
actors. By promoting South-South cooperation, the initiative enables African institutions to
collaboratively design solutions tailored to the continent’s unique challenges.
With the initiative envisioned to run up to 2028, there is immense potential to deepen its impact.
Raising awareness, enforcing regulations on antibiotic use, and investing in innovative research and
treatments remain critical components of this fight. Four cohorts of project teams have been sub-
awarded with some projects successfully closing out in 2024 while the rest will continue to
implement activities up to 2028. So far, projects have realized notable success as follows:
Community Engagement: Many implementing partners have rolled out community
engagement activities, expanding the awareness of AMR issues to the public. An example is
the Kimpese Evangelic Medical Institute in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has
organized several community awareness-raising sessions at night through video projection
on the proper use of antibiotics and WASH aspects, followed by question and answer games.
During the implementation of the projects, policy engagement has been crucial to ensure
more impact. Almost all the institutions organized a start-up meeting with policymakers to
involve and inform them of the project activities. This also initiated the possibility of
translating research products into policy.
Academic Mentorship and Training: Forty-seven (47) students (W*:25; M:22**) across
Africa have received training and mentorship under the JPIAMR Fund Management
initiative, spanning 14 bachelor’s (W:8; M:6), 21 master’s (W:12; M:9), 10 PhD (W:4; M:6),
and 2 postdoctoral (W:1; M:1) programs. This investment is building a generation of
researchers and professionals committed to addressing AMR.
Evidence Generation: The initiative has facilitated the publication of 13 research papers,
with over 30 more in progress. This growing body of evidence is crucial for informing policies
and interventions.
Institutional Strengthening: The initiative is supporting the implementing partners with
Good Financial Grant Practices (GFGP) certification. The certification is designed to help
organizations align their financial governance with internationally recognized best practices.
All the JPIAMR institutions have already been assessed for GFGP compliance Laboratory
Advancements: Medical laboratories of several institutions from the project have acquired
state-of-the art equipment, and lab technicians have received specialized training,
significantly improving the capacity to detect and manage AMR threats.
*W: Women
**M: Men