Five takeaways from AHAIC 2025: connected for change

At AHAIC 2025, the resounding call was for unity and collaboration to keep Africa safe. At a time when international aid cuts have blocked vital health supplies and services reaching the most vulnerable, Africa must "wake-up" to lead a new, bold, approach to get more money for health, and more health for money.

African and global health leaders came together to discuss how to create strong, resilient African health systems to secure Africa's health, development and economic future. Here are five key takeaways:

1. Unity and collaboration will keep Africa safe 

African nations must work together, across borders, to share information and expertise to effectively combat global health threats.

This resounding call to come together was echoed by African leaders – including Rwandan Minister of Health, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana - alongside the diverse groups of stakeholders invested in health in Africa present.

“In the space of infectious diseases and health security, there’s no success on our own. We must work together,” said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director, WHO-AFRO.

He further highlighted the inter-connectivity of health security, explaining that a health crisis in one country can quickly become a threat to others.

“There’s no notion of one country having great health security and your neighbour not having it. It will never work.” 

The immediate termination in US Government funding for critical health programmes, and then the UKAid cuts, set a difficult context for this discussion. In addition to the declining global health funding, there are growing challenges: tackling pandemics, climate-driven health threats, exponential rises in the non-communicable disease burden.

Yet, Dr Sabin’s opening keynote was anchored with the bold message that Africa “must take ownership of its healthcare future.” Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, addressed the conference virtually and focussed on the need for African leadership, science and collaboration—which Amref Health Africa International Board Chair Dr Charles Okeahalam echoed as a “wake-up call” for Africa.

2. Africa has a right to be at the global table - we need to use our voice! 

“Diseases have no boundaries,” as our Group CEO Dr Githinji Gitahi often says. And so, we must ensure our approach reflects the interconnectivity of health security. The only way we can do that is to cooperate – between countries and partners, share our learnings, data, and best practice, and coordinate as a united African voice on the global stage.

Africa has an equal right to participate and contribute to global health discussions and that the continent must continue to strengthen its voice on the world stage.

“We have as much a right to be a player and a voice in the global landscape as everyone else. Yes, we want to be strong on our own, locally and on the continent, but we have every right to have a voice on the global stage as well and we must not withdraw from that space, even as much as we want to have a strong African voice.” Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director, WHO-AFRO.

Regional and global partnerships in health, particularly pointing to the role of organisations such as the Africa CDC and WHO, are absolutely vital in strengthening health systems across the continent.

The Government of Rwanda showcased how it successfully managed and controlled the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) within a month of the first case being reported. A state of emergency was put in place as soon as that first case was reported. The Government, with support from Africa CDC and WHO AFRO, brought together different functions and levels of Government immediately and with urgency and worked right down to community levels to manage the disease with patient contact tracing starting without delay. Experiences such as that in Rwanda are another reason why it is so critical that countries in Africa get a place at the table and participate equally to global health discussions. Africa has rich experience to share that is valuable to ensure global health security.

The voice of the continent is a strength that needs to be heard on the world stage.

3. Prevention-first strategies to strengthen community health systems 

We need to focus on what creates health by focusing on ensuring health at home and access to primary healthcare (PHC). This is the level at which 80% of people access care, and Community health workers (CHWs) have a critical role to play in providing that PHC.

CHWs are the connectors between communities and PHC to “preserve a community’s future health outcomes”. Robust health systems must be built on investment in CHWs’ training and remuneration alongside investment in clean water, sanitation, nutrition, and immunisation as preventative measures that can significantly reduce future healthcare costs.

Representatives from the Malawian Ministry of Health said the USAID cuts provided an opportunity to realign priorities. With this fundamental shift in health financing, countries have an opportunity to re-prioritise PHC and move away from vertical top down, donor-led and expensive disease control such as programmes to test and treat HIV/AIDS only, rather than harmonising screening services/testing for co-infections including TB and malaria.

It is also a call for strategies to effectively address Africa's double burden of disease. The sharp rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer requires robust prevention strategies for lifestyle change. Healthcare workers play a critical role in community education and behaviour change, coupled with other preventative health measures, early screening, and leveraging technology, to mitigate this growing crisis.

4. Prioritise domestic health financing 

Global financing for critical health programmes is shrinking. This is the start of a transition in funding, and we know that African governments must prioritise domestic health financing. Yet, few governments have the fiscal space to close the gap.

Dr Raji Tajudeen of Africa CDC called for innovative financing mechanisms such as health levies (taxation), local manufacturing, and private sector engagement to fill funding gaps. Dr Githinji Gitahi stressed the need for Africa to re-think and reorganise its health systems to be responsive to the current challenges and changing geopolitical developments: “The traditional ways of financing and delivering healthcare in Africa are no longer sustainable. We must rethink our strategies to build resilient health systems that can withstand emerging threats.”

Panellists from National Health Insurance Schemes in Ghana and Nigeria gave engaging presentations on the build, launch and implementation of their respective insurance schemes, swapping notes about their learnings and successes. This included some fascinating insights into the role of strategic communication to explain universal health coverage to the general population.

The role that philanthropy can play to fill the gap was also highlighted with speakers present from key Amref partners: the Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Pfizer Foundation, among others.

5. Africa's young people are the drivers of change

Sixty percent of the African continent is under 25 years old compared to around 30% in Europe. Yet youth representation and participation fall far below these levels in the rooms where important decisions about health and lives are made.

Ilwad Elmi Mohamed, Acting Head of Youth Leadership, African Union Commission, encouraged a session filled to the brim with young leaders to “ask the audacious questions!” to claim their seat at the table. Panellists across sessions gave examples of great innovations and collaborations led by young people for new health tech, from harnessing the power of AI to leveraging biotech to develop the next generation of precision cancer drugs.

African governments must also recognise and empower young innovators who are already creating health solutions. Technology and innovation, particularly in AI and digital health, should be owned and driven by Africans to foster self-reliance. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director Emeritus for Africa, said: “Young people are the drivers of change and should be given platforms to shape policy and decision-making.”

For more news from AHAIC 2025, click here.