Five-country review · Q2 2026
A snapshot of national wastewater-based epidemiological surveillance across DR Congo, Mozambique, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria. Reviews current state, aspirational five-year targets, costs, and financing options.
Each country profile describes the current state of wastewater surveillance, the aspirational five-year target, and the strategic and financing pathway between the two.
Active polio, mpox, and cholera surveillance led by INRB. Outbreak burden drives political attention; financing access constrained by low GDP.
Polio-led WES at INS Maputo with growing multi-pathogen pilot. Sewerage coverage and decentralisation are the key constraints.
Largest WES footprint of the five. NICD-led, but operating without a national policy mandate. Research-to-routine transition stalled.
Active polio, cholera, typhoid and influenza WES with regional AMR leadership. Detailed cost and coverage data still being collected.
Polio and SARS-CoV-2 WES via NCDC. Significant untapped financing including the Pandemic Fund. Detailed in-country interviews pending.
A single sample — collected, transported, processed, sequenced — costs between $99 and $145 depending on the country.