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5 July 2025 – Africa is facing a deepening health financing crisis, driven by excessive reliance on external aid and chronic underinvestment by national governments. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the continent’s healthcare systems are 95% dependent on foreign assistance for essential commodities such as vaccines, medications, and diagnostic tools.
📉 Surge in Public Health Emergencies
In 2024, Africa recorded a 41% increase in public health emergencies, rising from 152 in 2022 to 213. Recurring outbreaks of Mpox, Ebola, cholera, measles, and Marburg virus, compounded by climate-related disasters and humanitarian crises in regions like the Sahel, Eastern DRC, and Sudan, have exposed the fragility of health infrastructure across the continent.
đź’° Decline in External Funding
Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Africa’s health sector has plummeted by 70% between 2021 and 2025, placing immense pressure on systems already stretched thin. This decline threatens progress toward Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
🏛️ Domestic Budget Shortfalls
Despite the Abuja Declaration of 2001, which urged African Union member states to allocate 15% of national budgets to health, only three countries—Rwanda, Botswana, and Cabo Verde—have consistently met this target. Over 30 countries remain below the 10% benchmark, with some allocating as little as 5–7%.
🔧 Strategic Solutions and Reform
To bridge the funding gap, Africa CDC and health experts recommend:
- Strengthening domestic resource mobilization through improved governance and strategic planning
- Expanding preventive care, including vaccination programs and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure
- Encouraging private sector investment and regional collaboration
- Developing National Health Financing Plans (NHFPs) to guide sustainable funding strategies
🧠Turning Crisis into Opportunity
The crisis presents a pivotal moment for African governments to reduce aid dependency and build resilient, self-sustaining health systems. Without decisive action, the continent risks reversing decades of progress in disease control, maternal health, and epidemic preparedness.
For further insights, explore the Africa CDC’s strategic framework and The Conversation’s analysis on preventive health strategies.
