Africa’s top public health body and authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are demanding greater transparency in Ebola response funding, saying more than $700 million in donor money remains unaccounted for in financial reports provided by aid organisations.
Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya told Reuters on Thursday that it was too early to suggest embezzlement, but described the gap as a major transparency and reporting problem that prevents authorities from fully tracking resources mobilised and spent.
According to Kaseya, international donors have disbursed about $962 million to organisations implementing Ebola response activities in Congo, rather than directly to the government.
However, only about a third of implementing partners attended a recent meeting organised by the health ministry and shared financial information. Those organisations reported receiving $228 million, of which $127 million had been spent, leaving roughly $100 million available.
Congolese Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba echoed the concerns in a post on X on Thursday, saying aid organisations must provide details of their funding sources, objectives and implementation progress to the ministry.
Kaseya warned that organisations failing to comply could be barred from operating in Congo and blacklisted across Africa.
The funding concerns could complicate efforts to contain Ebola, as mistrust of health workers and response agencies remains a major obstacle. Previous Ebola responses in Congo have been marred by allegations of favouritism and corruption.
