For the past 2 decades, Xanthomonas wilt of banana (aka XW) has severely compromised the livelihoods of millions of banana dependent households in the East and Central African (ECA) region. Where XW has occurred, it has reduced the availability of banana in households and markets; often increased food prices, food and income insecurity; led to loss of key ecosystem services (e.g. erosion control) and in general led to socio-economic insecurity. Like the coronavirus that quickly spreads within a susceptible human population, the bacterial pathogen that causes XW can disperse rapidly through a population of susceptible banana plants.