Data-driven decisions strengthening AMR strategy in East and South Africa

The Fleming Fund highlights how countries in East and Southern Africa have strengthened antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies by building coordinated, data-driven surveillance systems across human and animal health sectors. Since 2016, support has helped countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Eswatini and Rwanda improve laboratory capacity, standardise data collection, and report to global platforms like WHO GLASS and WOAH ANIMUSE. Importantly, surveillance data is increasingly informing national policy and stewardship decisions—for example, guiding antibiotic use in poultry in Zimbabwe and revising carbapenem prescribing practices in Malawi. Tools such as WHONET enable more systematic reporting and early detection of resistance trends. While progress has been substantial, the report stresses that sustained financing, trained personnel, and long-term system integration remain essential to ensure that AMR data continues to translate into effective policy and public health action.