The Saving Lives and Livelihoods Pathogen Genomics project phase 2 was a follow-on from the phase 1 project which was primarily a response mechanism to the Covid 19 pandemic. The main aim of phase

1 was to build capacity for SARS Cov2 genomic sequencing in the African union member states to track the spread of SARS Cov2 variants of concern and inform public health policy responses.

After COVID-19 was declared to no longer be a public health emergency of international concern, the savings lives and livelihoods pathogens genomics project transitioned to phase

2. The aim of project was to prepare for the next pandemic through capacitating additional member states with capacity for sequencing, leverage the exiting capacity set up for SARS CoV2 sequencing to sequence other use cases. As determined by member state priorities, building capacity for bioinformatics analysis through supply of bioinformatics equipment and trainings, capacitation of regional biobanks and health workforce trainings quality management systems for sequencing laboratories, biobanks and bioinformatics standards.