Attending the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda, was truly eye-opening. As Africa grapples with escalating health challenges from pandemics, climate change, and economic instability, AHAIC provided a vital platform for dialogue and innovation. The conference’s theme, “Connected for Change: Addressing Socio-Ecological Dynamics of Health”, brought together over 7,000 health stakeholders (virtually and in-person) from around the world, all united in the shared goal of driving transformative change for health in Africa.
The Call for Unity and Collaboration for Health Security
One of the central messages at AHAIC 2025 was the crucial need for unity in strengthening health systems. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities in many African health systems, highlighting the importance of solidarity. It was clear that countries must share resources, collaborate, and build resilience together.
Leaders emphasized the necessity of reducing dependency on external aid, calling for the mobilization of domestic resources through sustainable health financing models. The conference highlighted regional collaborations such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and Africa CDC-led interventions, which serve as powerful examples of how nations can come together to address shared health challenges.
Youth and Community Engagement: The Future of Health
A significant focus of AHAIC 2025 was the vital role of youth and community engagement. With Africa’s youth population rapidly growing, there is an immense opportunity to leverage this demographic for positive health outcomes. It was clear that young people, particularly women and girls, must be included in health decision-making processes to ensure their needs are addressed.
Several sessions showcased innovative, youth-led digital health initiatives, including mobile health apps and telemedicine, which have successfully improved access to healthcare in remote areas. Governments were urged to create more opportunities for youth leadership in both policy advocacy and healthcare delivery, recognizing that today’s youth are tomorrow’s health leaders.
Climate Change and Health: The Intersection of Global and Local Crises
Climate change emerged as a critical health concern at AHAIC 2025, with climate-induced disruptions threatening food security, water resources, and increasing extreme weather events. These changes are exacerbating health issues such as malnutrition, waterborne diseases, and heat stress across Africa.
Experts called for the development of climate-resilient health systems and the integration of green healthcare solutions, including eco-friendly facilities and sustainable waste management practices. Several countries shared innovative approaches to address climate-health challenges, such as community training in climate-resilient agriculture and mobile tracking of climate-related health threats.
Health Financing: A Call for Innovative Models
Discussions on health financing were urgent and necessary. A significant focus was placed on reducing dependency on external aid and moving towards sustainable, locally-driven solutions. Countries explored ways to increase domestic health financing through improved tax collection, public-private partnerships, and community-based health insurance schemes.
The conference also emphasized the importance of transparent management of health funds, noting that governance issues continue to undermine health outcomes. Strengthening institutional capacity was identified as essential to ensure sustainable healthcare financing and improved health delivery across the continent.
Gender Equality in Health: A Critical Imperative
Gender equality in health was recognized as crucial for achieving health equity across Africa. The conference highlighted persistent disparities in healthcare access, maternal mortality, and gender-based violence that continue to disproportionately affect women and girls.
Key solutions included increasing women’s representation in health leadership, ensuring equitable access to reproductive health services, and addressing socio-cultural barriers that hinder women’s access to care. AHAIC 2025 also highlighted the importance of engaging men as allies in promoting gender equality within health systems.
Personal Reflections: A Path Forward for Africa’s Health Systems
AHAIC 2025 left me both inspired and acutely aware of the challenges ahead. The collaborative spirit on display was encouraging, with a growing recognition that Africa must take the lead in driving its own health agenda. The innovative solutions presented by Africa’s leaders and youth were a source of hope for the continent’s health future.
As we move forward, we must translate the insights from AHAIC 2025 into actionable strategies that prioritize collaboration, sustainability, and equity. This means investing in local solutions and building responsive health systems that can meet the needs of every African, particularly those in marginalized communities.
Africa’s health challenges are interconnected with global issues of climate change, social inequities, and political instability. By embracing the collective we demonstrated at AHAIC 2025, we can work towards self-reliant, sustainable, and equitable health systems that benefit all Africans.
Charlotte Muheki, Technical Director, Primary Health Care, Amref Health Africa