Driving Large-scale Transformation in the African Healthcare Space

Africa makes up 16% of the world’s population and carries 23% of the global disease burden, yet only 1% of total global health expenditure goes to the continent. In per capita terms, the rest of the world spends 10 times more on health care than Africa. This is unacceptable and one of the reasons why AVPA is collaborating with Ashoka and Social Innovation Circle to roll out the African Healthcare Funders Forum sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim as part of their ‘Making More Health’ and ‘Social Engagement’ initiatives. 

During a recent convention organized by Boehringer Ingelheim in Germany, like-minded partners came together to unpack what is required to achieve sustainable healthcare solutions that create shared value and impact. One of the most interesting discussions centred on the strategies needed to drive large-scale transformation in the healthcare space. Some of the ideas discussed included (among others):

• Embracing holistic approaches to achieve lasting social impact
• Accelerating health financing through strategic partnerships with diverse partners
• Building consumer-centric digital health ecosystems
• Ensuring reliable access to high-quality medical commodities and equipment
• Rapidly upskilling and institutionalizing Community Health Workers 
• Unlocking private capital 
• The need for working capital and non-restricted grants as opposed to equity

Governments across Africa are struggling to deliver basic public services let alone universal healthcare, which means the continent urgently needs to secure alternative financing sources to meet SDG3. The SDG health targets call for ending AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and preventable deaths of newborns and children below 5 years by 2030. Addressing these ambitious goals through traditional methods will not cut it. Africa faces an annual financing gap of more than $26 billion to reach SDG3. Yet this sector represents a massive investment opportunity, estimated by the UN Economic Commission for Africa to be worth $66 billion annually. The African healthcare market is estimated to be worth USD 259 billion and it’s expected to become the second biggest market after the USA by 2030. 

My main takeaway from the Making More Health Convention was that it will take creative, strategic partnerships and innovative financing sources to effectively impact Africa’s healthcare sector. 

Nancy Kairo ,

Executive Director - East Africa

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