The fourth International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2025) opened on Thursday in Durban, South Africa, with African leaders, scientists, and global health partners reaffirming their commitment to building self-reliant and resilient health systems across the continent.
Themed “Moving Towards Self-Reliance to Achieve Universal Health Coverage and Health Security in Africa,” the four-day event brings together representatives from over 20 countries and organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, and the Global Fund.
Hosted by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in collaboration with the Government of South Africa and AfricaBio’s BIO Africa Convention, the conference serves as a key platform for African-led solutions in healthcare innovation, policy, and research.
At the opening ceremony, Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, stated that Africa is redefining its role in global health.
“For the first time, Africa is inspiring the world. The world is coming to learn from Africa. We are 1.4 billion proud Africans making our own agenda,” he said.
Dr. Joe Phaahla, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Health, urged delegates to turn discussions into concrete actions promoting equity and social justice.
“Every decision we take here must move us closer to health equity, economic inclusion, and social justice. Through African leadership and global solidarity, we can build a future where our health systems are powered and sustained by Africans themselves,” he said.
Dr. Nhlanhla Msomi, President of AfricaBio, emphasized the need to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
“Our healthcare industry still relies on borrowed technologies and ideas. We must decouple from that dependence if we are to win the battle for health sovereignty,” Msomi noted.
This year’s conference, the third hosted by South Africa since CPHIA’s inception in 2021, precedes the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting under South Africa’s presidency scheduled for November.
An outcome statement from the conference will outline strategic directions for advancing Africa’s health security and universal health coverage.
Key topics include strengthening health financing and accountability, advancing digital health and telemedicine, promoting local vaccine production, and integrating climate resilience and One Health approaches to address emerging threats.
Experts say that by fostering collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and private sector leaders, CPHIA 2025 aims to accelerate Africa’s journey toward health self-reliance, ensuring no community is left behind.
The conference will conclude on Saturday with the adoption of an outcome statement shaping the continent’s next phase in health development.
