How Future Africa at UP advances One Health in Africa

In a world increasingly shaped by climate change, biodiversity loss and the growing risk of pandemics, Future Africa, the pan-African platform of the University of Pretoria (UP), is advancing a One Health approach that connects science, society and sustainability.

One Health recognises that human, animal and environmental health are deeply interconnected. Addressing these dimensions together is no longer optional, it is essential for anticipating and mitigating health threats, protecting ecosystems, strengthening food systems and building long-term resilience, particularly across the African continent.

This urgency is reflected in global developments such as the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement, which calls for stronger collaboration across public health, veterinary, agricultural and environmental sectors. Its emphasis on surveillance, data sharing and addressing the root causes of disease emergence, including deforestation, wildlife trade, intensive farming and climate change, resonates strongly in African contexts, where biodiversity is high and health systems often face resource constraints.

Building on a strong foundation of zoonotic and pandemic research at UP, Future Africa provides a platform for advancing a dedicated One Health agenda through transdisciplinary, Africa-led research and collaboration. Central to this work is the Research Chair in People, Health and Places (One Health), which focuses on setting African research priorities, building leadership capacity and fostering collaborative networks grounded in equity, ecological stewardship and community inclusion.

This vision is being translated into action through a number of initiatives hosted or supported through Future Africa. These include:

• FoSTA-Health, which explores the links between food systems, livelihoods and zoonotic risk,
• COHESA (Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa), which is training a new generation of African scientists and leaders in One Health.
• the Institute of Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (IP3), a national, multi-institutional research institute that brings together 10 South African universities, government, civil society and industry to strengthen South Africa’s capacity to anticipate, prevent, respond to and recover from future pandemics.
• The United Nations University Hub on Resilient Environment, Agriculture, Climate and Health for Africa (UNU Hub on REACH-AFRICA) and the Lancet Countdown Africa Centre further connect climate change, ecosystems, agriculture and human wellbeing, strengthening Africa’s contribution to global evidence and policy dialogue.

Together, these efforts position Future Africa at UP as a convening platform where research, policy and practice intersect.

This article is adapted from a contribution by Prof Wanda Markotter, Future Africa Research Chair: People, Health and Places (One Health), originally published in the University of Pretoria’s RE.SEARCH Magazine.