The Africa Health Agenda, emphasized at the AHAIC 2025 conference, highlights the urgent need for African nations to shift towards proactive health strategies and sustainable, locally-led financing in response to declining external support and rising health challenges.
Africa’s Health Agenda, while closely aligned with the global health objectives, faces unique challenges, including a persistent burden from infectious diseases and a rising prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This was a key theme addressed by Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO of Amref Health Africa, at the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025, held in Kigali, Rwanda. The conference’s theme, “Connected for change: Addressing Socio-Ecological Dynamics of Health,” called for collaborative efforts among African nations to confront environmental threats and shifts in global health funding that impact health systems across the continent. The urgency for action is heightened by the emergence of new health threats and financial limitations.
The conference emphasized transitioning from reactive to proactive health strategies, transforming fragmented financing into integrated models, and fostering multilateral collaborations instead of operating within national silos. While recognizing the challenges is crucial, the spotlight was placed on developing bold, sustainable, and Africa-led solutions. One clear takeaway was that health should be viewed as an investment rather than a mere expense.
For Africa to construct resilient and equitable health systems for the future, a rethinking of health financing is essential. This includes prioritizing prevention and enhancing capabilities for medical innovations. Health financing in Africa is currently at a pivotal juncture. For twenty years, external donor support has been essential in funding initiatives like HIV/AIDS programs and vaccine distributions. However, recent global economic downturns, donor fatigue, and shifting political priorities have led to a decline in this support.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the vulnerabilities of health systems overly reliant on external funding, underscoring the need for sustainable, domestically led financing models. Dr Gitahi noted the importance of focusing discussions on the communities being served rather than solely on funding withdrawals. While external aid plays a role in community support and donor interests, African nations must assume greater ownership of their health challenges while still seeking collaborative opportunities. This evolving situation presents a chance for countries like Nigeria to take ownership of their health agendas.
Experts like Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu from the World Health Organization expressed optimism that the current funding challenges might encourage African leaders to increase their health investments and foster collaboration within and between countries. To navigate this financial landscape, Africa should adopt its health agenda more rigorously, utilizing mechanisms such as national health insurance schemes and taxation on unhealthy commodities while engaging the private sector through blended financing models. It remains crucial to focus not just on spending but on the effectiveness and direction of such expenditure, as highlighted by Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health.
Historically, African health systems have prioritized treatment over prevention. As the burden of NCDs and mental health issues grows, investment in prevention strategies remains disproportionately low. The evidence supporting the effectiveness of prevention is profound, showing that investments in primary healthcare, immunization, nutrition, and health education yield significant long-term benefits compared to the costs associated with treating preventable diseases. Dr. Gitahi stressed the importance of prioritizing preventive measures, framing health as something created at home while hospitals should serve primarily as facilities for repairs.
AHAIC 2025 called for a fundamental shift in focus, urging governments to embed prevention within health policies with the same commitment afforded to curative care. This includes enhancing community health programs, integrating digital health innovations for early detection, and implementing policies promoting healthier lifestyles. Ultimately, prevention represents not just a health imperative but also a strategic economic approach that can reduce long-term healthcare costs while boosting productivity.
