Africa needs to take the lead in shaping the future of health on the continent

For decades, Africa’s health priorities, policies, funding sources, and access to medicines have largely been shaped by international organisations, funders, consortiums, and conferences based in the global north. The notion that Africa still has “limited capacity” and “an unskilled workforce” means that funding is often channelled through “experts” and entities in the global north, rather than directly to local organisations or programmes in the global south. This approach inhibits lasting progress.The covid-19 pandemic reinforced the need for Africa to take charge of its own health agenda. Despite fears that the continent would be devastated by the virus, public health institutions like the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) acted swiftly to coordinate a continental response. In partnership with national public health institutes, ministries of health, and other local, regional, and international partners, Africa CDC supported surveillance, testing, case management, and more—as well as forging new partnerships across…
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