AHAIC 2025: African Health Leaders Call for Self-Sufficiency in Healthcare Financing

The 6th edition of the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025 opened in Kigali, Rwanda, with a resounding call for African nations to take ownership of their healthcare systems and reduce dependency on foreign aid. Global and African health leaders, gathered at the Kigali Convention Centre, emphasized the urgent need for homegrown solutions, strategic investments, and stronger health governance in tackling Africa’s evolving health challenges.

The conference, jointly organized by Amref Health Africa, the Ministry of Health Rwanda, the WHO Regional Office for Africa, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), is being held under the theme “Connected for Change: Addressing Socio-Ecological Dynamics of Health.” It aims to drive African-led health solutions amid increasing pandemics, climate-related diseases, and dwindling international health aid.

Speaking at the opening session, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, underscored Rwanda’s commitment to building a sustainable healthcare system, noting that Africa’s health security depends on strengthening local healthcare capacity.

“Africa must take ownership of its healthcare future. Reducing dependency on external aid requires strengthening local healthcare capacity—not just focusing on how much funding we receive, but on how efficiently we use resources to improve health outcomes,” Dr. Nsanzimana stated.

He highlighted the role of innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital health solutions in advancing Africa’s healthcare systems, citing Rwanda’s strategic investments in health infrastructure and technology as a model for the continent.

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, called for better coordination in addressing funding gaps, particularly as international donors scale back health aid.

“We need to map funding gaps and work closely with African governments to find sustainable solutions. The focus must shift toward internally driven strategies while remaining open to strategic collaborations,” Dr. Ihekweazu noted.

He also pointed to Rwanda as an example of successful domestic health financing, advocating for more investment in universal health coverage and private-sector engagement in healthcare.

Dr. Claudia Shilumani, Director of External Relations and Strategic Management at Africa CDC, made a strong case for Africa’s health sovereignty. She stressed that self-sufficiency in healthcare is vital for securing the continent’s future.

“If we prioritize self-sufficiency—developing, producing, and distributing our own vaccines, medicines, and medical technologies—the centre will hold. We must also invest in a robust African health workforce to drive this vision forward,” she stated.

Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO of Amref Health Africa, urged policymakers to rethink health investments and prioritize primary healthcare (PHC) over tertiary care, emphasizing that equitable healthcare financing is essential for Africa’s economic and social development.

“Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an economic crisis, and the lack of fiscal space is a major issue. Investing in health must be tied to population development, ensuring that every girl and woman has the right to make informed reproductive health choices,” Dr. Gitahi said.

He called for a shift in focus toward fundamental health determinants, such as clean water, sanitation, food security, and immunization.

“For decades, we have called for prioritizing primary healthcare, as outlined in the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration. Yet, we continue to mop the floor instead of fixing the leaking tap. If we want sustainable health systems, we must redirect investments to PHC, where 80% of our people seek care.”

AHAIC 2025 marks a decade of African-led thought leadership in health and is expected to shape the continent’s healthcare agenda for years to come. With participation from 42 partner organizations, over 1,800 in-person attendees, and a growing online audience, the conference stands as a pivotal moment for Africa’s health sovereignty and financing strategies.

Leaders at the event urged governments, private-sector players, and civil society organizations to make bold commitments that will strengthen Africa’s health systems and ensure a sustainable, self-reliant health future for the continent.