As Africa navigates a rapidly evolving geopolitical and economic landscape, the urgency to unlock sustainable health financing has never been greater. The Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025, co-convened by Amref Health Africa, the Ministry of Health Rwanda, the African Union, Africa CDC, and WHO African Region, is bringing together global health leaders, policymakers, and advocates to address the socio-economic and ecological dynamics shaping health systems across the continent.
With South Africa hosting the G20 Summit for the first time, Africa has a unique opportunity to drive an ambitious agenda that places health at the core of economic growth and resilience. A recurring theme in global discussions, including at the G20, is the cost of capital crisis, which continues to hinder Africa’s ability to invest in critical sectors such as healthcare.
High borrowing costs for African nations make it imperative to explore new and innovative financing mechanisms to ensure that health systems are adequately resourced. Addressing these financial barriers—alongside broader macroeconomic reforms—could unlock much-needed fiscal space for health.
The ONE Campaign is actively advocating for this shift, pushing for an action-oriented agenda that expands fiscal space for health through domestic resource mobilization and private-sector engagement. By unlocking sustainable public and private health financing, ONE aims to empower African governments with the resources needed to build resilient health systems for future generations.
Africa remains at a crossroads in health financing. Persistent out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, limited domestic resources, inadequate private sector investment, and declining donor contributions restrict access to quality healthcare. The situation is further worsened by recent aid cuts from donor governments, placing additional pressure on African nations to find sustainable solutions.
However, the shifting global economic order presents an opportunity for African governments to redefine fiscal priorities and elevate health spending as a key pillar of national development strategies.
“Health financing is not just about healthcare—it is an economic and political imperative,” said Serah Makka, Africa Executive Director at ONE. “With Africa taking centre stage in global discussions—particularly at the G20 Summit in South Africa—we must seize this moment to push for fairer lending terms, increased investment in health, and greater financial autonomy for African nations. Without tackling the cost of capital crisis and implementing broader macroeconomic reforms, health systems will remain underfunded, leaving millions behind.”
The ONE Campaign’s vision for the future of health financing is rooted in practical, actionable strategies that drive immediate impact and long-term transformation. By mobilizing new financial resources, strengthening domestic health investments, and fostering multi-sector collaboration, Africa can move closer to a future where quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
