At a High-Level Meeting on Domestic Health Financing in Addis Ababa, African leaders and health advocates underscored the urgency of developing homegrown solutions to address the continent’s healthcare funding challenges. 

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 38th African Union (AU) Summit, brought together presidents, policymakers, and development partners who stressed the need for sustainable health financing mechanisms that reduce reliance on foreign aid.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, speaking at the event, called for increased domestic resource mobilization to strengthen Africa’s healthcare systems. She emphasized that Africa’s economic growth and social stability depend on robust healthcare infrastructure, urging governments to prioritize health spending.

“Africa cannot continue to rely solely on donor funding and foreign aid, which, although helpful, are often unpredictable and unsustainable,” she said. “Instead, we must develop innovative financing strategies tailored to our unique challenges and circumstances.”

Mrs. Tinubu also advocated for the full implementation of the Abuja Declaration, which recommends that African nations allocate at least 15 per cent of their national budgets to healthcare. She noted that first ladies play a crucial role in mobilizing resources from both the public and private sectors.

“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. In line with the Abuja Declaration, our governments should allocate at least 15 per cent of their budgetary allocations to health,” she said.

The meeting, attended by leaders from Rwanda, Ethiopia, Botswana, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Barbados, also highlighted the importance of investments in research, technology, and healthcare manpower. Participants stressed that sustainable models such as health insurance expansion, endowment funds, and investments from the African diaspora could help bridge the continent’s healthcare financing gap.

As Africa seeks to strengthen its healthcare systems, leaders at the summit reaffirmed their commitment to reducing external dependency and ensuring efficient use of domestic resources. The discussions reinforced the belief that Africa’s long-term health security lies in self-sufficiency, accountability, and innovation in financing.