Kigali, Rwanda, 4 March 2025: 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, currently co-convened by Amref Health Africa, Ministry of Health Rwanda, African Union, Africa CDC, WHO African Region is bringing together global health leaders, policymakers, and advocates to address the critical socio-ecological dynamics shaping health systems across the continent.
Against the backdrop of South Africa hosting the G20 Summit for the first time, Africa has a critical opportunity to drive a bold agenda that places health at the heart of economic growth and resilience. A key theme emerging in global discussions, including those at the G20, is the cost of capital crisis, which continues to impede Africa’s ability to invest in critical sectors, including healthcare. With borrowing costs disproportionately high for African nations, mobilising new and innovative financing mechanisms is imperative to ensuring that health systems are adequately resourced. Addressing these costs alongside other macroeconomic reforms have the potential to unlock additional fiscal space for health.
The ONE Campaign is actively contributing to this effort, advocating for an action-oriented agenda that expands fiscal space for health by supporting domestic resource mobilisation and unlocking private-sector engagement. ONE is exploring pathways to unlock sustainable public and private health financing, ensuring that African governments have the resources needed to build resilient health systems for generations to come.
Africa remains at a crossroads when it comes to health financing. Persistent out-of-pocket expenses, constrained domestic resources, limited private sector investment and declining donor contributions continue to restrict access to quality healthcare. This challenge is further compounded by recent cuts to aid across many donor governments that are placing additional pressure on African governments to find sustainable financing solutions. However, the shifting global economic order presents an opportunity for African governments to redefine fiscal priorities and champion health spending as a cornerstone of national development strategies.
“Health financing is not merely a matter of healthcare; it is an essential economic and political priority,” said Serah Makka, Africa Executive Director at ONE. “As Africa takes centre stage in global discussions through platforms like the G20 Summit in South Africa, we must seize this moment to advocate for fairer lending terms, increased investment in health and greater financial autonomy for African nations. Without addressing the cost of capital crisis as well as other macroeconomic reforms to unlock fiscal space for health, health systems will remain underfunded and millions will be left behind.”
The ONE Campaign’s vision for the future of health financing is rooted in actionable strategies that can drive both immediate wins and long-term transformation. By unlocking new financial avenues, 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.
About The ONE Campaign
ONE is a global, nonpartisan organization advocating for the investments needed to create economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa. Our trusted advocacy uses hard-hitting data, grassroots activism, political engagement and strategic partnerships to influence decision-makers. Learn more at www.one.org
