Reimagining African health systems: Key takeaways from AFIDEP’s WHA79 high-level dialogue
Geneva, 21 May 2026 – At the margins of the
#79th World Health Assembly, AFIDEP hosted a high-level dialogue with
@NEPAD_Agency and
@MinofHealthUG on building more resilient, self-reliant African
#health systems.
The session centred on three levers: increasing domestic health financing, improving system efficiency, and scaling locally relevant
#innovations.
Dr
@EliyaZulu, AFIDEP's Executive Director, opened the session by highlighting Africa’s growing fiscal squeeze.
“External assistance now accounts for 23% of health spending in Africa.
#ODA for health fell by an estimated 40% between 2021 and 2023, with further cuts projected. Over 20 African countries are in or at high risk of debt distress," he noted.
He argued that Africa must get more health from existing resources by improving
#efficiency, engaging the private sector in local manufacturing and service delivery, and scaling proven innovations. He called for better use of evidence to make the investment case for health, and for global development and finance partners to back
#innovative financing like debt swaps.
Delegates flagged persistent fragmentation as a barrier: off-budget and parallel financing systems weaken coordination and planning. The consensus was that funding flows must align with country-led priorities.
Lightning talks from
@Afidep,
@UNITAID, and
@CHAI_health covered the full pipeline: developing, testing, adopting, and scaling innovations. The message from experts was that
#partnerships across the pipeline are critical to move proven solutions into routine health service delivery faster.
Delegates agreed that sustained financing alone won’t deliver impact. Africa needs faster adoption of scalable
#innovations that improve efficiency and outcomes, alongside stronger domestic financing and better alignment of external support with national health system strengthening priorities.
#WHA79 #HealthFinancing #PHC #WHA @WHO