A new Think Global Health analysis argues that health taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks could save lives, generate revenue, and strengthen Africa’s health systems.
African governments face mounting health and fiscal pressures, and a new Think Global Health article highlights health taxes as a practical path forward. At the recent Africa Health Sovereignty Summit in Ghana, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to “chart a new course for health financing,” pointing to taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks as powerful but underused tools.
Noncommunicable diseases already account for 37% of deaths across the continent, yet health systems remain ill-equipped to respond. Declining donor assistance—expected to fall by 70% between 2021 and 2025—has further strained services. Health taxes, the article notes, offer a “triple win”: curbing harmful consumption, saving lives, and raising revenue. A 50% increase in prices through taxation could generate $2.1 trillion in five years for low- and middle-income countries, equivalent to 40% of current health spending.
Despite this potential, fewer than 5% of African countries meet WHO’s tax thresholds. Successful cases in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa demonstrate what is possible when governments overcome industry interference and act decisively. The article concludes that scaling up health taxes could help African nations achieve economic sovereignty while protecting public health.
