Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the sidelines of the 38th African Union Summit, the First Lady stressed that Africa’s economic growth and social stability hinge on a robust healthcare system that guarantees access to essential medical services for millions across the continent.
This was contained in a press statement signed by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, on Friday.
According to the release, she made the call at a High-Level Meeting on Domestic Health Financing in Africa.
“Africa cannot continue to rely solely on donor funding and foreign aid, which, although helpful, are often unpredictable and unsustainable.
“Instead, we must develop innovative financing strategies tailored to our unique challenges and circumstances,” she stated.
The High-Level Meeting, convened by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, brought together African leaders, donor agencies, and funding partners to discuss homegrown solutions to Africa’s healthcare challenges, particularly in light of impending funding gaps due to recent U.S. policy changes.
Sharing Nigeria’s perspective, Tinubu emphasised that a healthy continent is a wealthy continent and urged African nations to take decisive action in bridging healthcare funding gaps.
She underscored the importance of national health budgets, calling on governments to uphold their commitments under the Abuja Declaration, which mandates that at least 15 per cent of national budgets be allocated to healthcare.
“Given the increasing funding gap for health on the continent, I urge us all to come together and commit to advocating for increased national health budgets.
“We must also support innovative financing mechanisms and explore sustainable models, such as expanding health insurance coverage, health endowment funds, and investments from the African diaspora,” she said.
As the Global and National Stop TB Champion, the First Lady also highlighted the role of African First Ladies in mobilizing resources for healthcare through government engagement, private sector collaboration, and international partnerships.
The meeting featured discussions from leaders of “Rwanda, Ethiopia, Botswana, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Barbados,” alongside donor agencies and global health partners.
Consensus emerged on the “urgent need for Africa to look inward” in addressing its healthcare challenges—through investment in “local research, medical technology, improved manpower, and sustainable funding strategies.”
The leaders agreed that “accountability and transparency” must be central to any new financing models to ensure that allocated funds are effectively utilised.
The meeting, held at a critical juncture for Africa’s healthcare landscape, signals a renewed commitment to “self-reliance and sustainability in health financing.”
With pressing funding gaps and evolving global financial dynamics, “Nigeria and other African nations are pushing for innovative, homegrown solutions” to secure the future of healthcare across the continent.
On Thursday, Newsmen reported that President Bola Tinubu arrived in Ethiopia for the AU Summit.
The meeting is slated for February 14–18, 2025.
