This landscape analysis by the Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs (FAN) examines the health financing practices and challenges related to NCDs across six exemplar countries in Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa. By analysing resource mobilisation, pooling, and strategic purchasing, the study highlights key policy gaps, systemic barriers, and opportunities to strengthen domestic and external financing, with the aim of achieving more equitable, effective, and sustainable NCD care.
Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a dual burden of disease, where rising rates of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are placing increasing strain on already stretched health systems still combating infectious diseases. NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory illnesses now account for over a third of all deaths in the region. Yet, despite the growing need, health financing for NCDs remains critically inadequate. Many countries allocate only a small fraction of their health budgets to NCDs, with significant gaps in external funding, resulting in high levels of out-of-pocket spending and limited access to affordable, sustained care. The report is in collaboration with the World Bank, Access Accelerated, Results for Development and AFIDEP.