A landmark study has revealed widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across 14 African countries, raising concerns over the continent’s ability to manage hard-to-treat infections and calling for urgent improvements in testing, data systems, and health planning.
The study, titled the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership (MAAP), is the largest of its kind ever conducted in Africa. It was spearheaded by a coalition that includes the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), One Health Trust, and other regional partners.
Analyzing over 187,000 test results from 205 laboratories across countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Malawi, the study examined resistance patterns in bacteria responsible for serious infections, including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Alarming resistance levels were noted in several countries, with over 70% of Staphylococcus aureus samples in Nigeria and Ghana resistant to methicillin.
Equally concerning was the high resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, potent antibiotics, particularly in Ghana and Malawi. The study found that older adults (65+) were 28% more likely to have resistant infections, while hospitalised patients and those with prior antibiotic use faced significantly higher risk.
Despite the serious threat, the study revealed substantial gaps in surveillance and health infrastructure. Fewer than 2% of health facilities had the capacity to test for bacterial infections, and only 12% of drug resistance data was linked to patient records, severely limiting the ability to track and respond to the spread of AMR.
Data quality varied significantly across countries, with Senegal showing relatively strong systems, while others like Sierra Leone struggled due to reliance on handwritten records and the absence of digital databases.
Funded by the UK’s Fleming Fund and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the study urges African governments to prioritize AMR as a national health threat. Key recommendations include investing in better laboratory capacity, strengthening digital data systems, and institutionalizing routine testing for bacterial infections.
“For African countries, AMR remains a wicked and complex problem, leaving countries with a million-dollar question: ‘Where do we start from?’” said Dr Yewande Alimi, One Health Unit Lead at Africa CDC. “This study brings to light groundbreaking AMR data. We must act now, and together, to address this growing threat.”
Without immediate action, experts warn that the rise in drug resistance could undermine decades of progress in healthcare and development across the continent.
Written By Rodney Mbua
