Conference Program

Plenary Sessions

Opening Plenary 1: Africa’s Role in the Global Order: Changing Inequitable Paradigms

From equitable pandemic response to climate justice, Africa has the potential to recalibrate outdated global systems, realign priorities, and firmly place the continent’s interests at the heart of international decision-making.

Plenary 2: Restoring the Faith of Communities: Confronting the Legacy of Apathy, Inequality and Injustice

Decades of inequality and fragmented governance have eroded public trust in health systems. Leaders must rebuild faith by addressing past failures, championing transparency, and empowering communities as central players in Africa’s health future.

Plenary 3: New Tools for New Challenges: Harnessing Digital Innovations for Health Equity

Advances in AI, smartphone access, and digital infrastructure present unparalleled opportunities to revolutionize Africa’s health systems and equity. We must explore how digital public infrastructure (DPI) can propel Africa to the forefront of global health innovation, transforming access, service delivery, and health outcomes across the continent.

Plenary 4: Health for All, Not for Some: Revamping the Global Health Architecture for Equitable Access

Africa has been consistently marginalized in global health, facing barriers in access to vaccines, essential health products, and infrastructure. This session will focus on actionable strategies to reform the global health architecture, empowering African nations to boost local manufacturing, lead in health innovation, respond swiftly to crises, and reduce reliance on international supply chains for a more self-sufficient health future.

Closing Plenary 5: Patriarchy, Gender, and Health Inequities: Removing the Barriers

Patriarchal norms and gender inequality continue to block access to essential healthcare for women and gender minorities across Africa. Examining how cultural and social barriers impact health outcomes, exploring strategies to embed gender equity in health policies, and building inclusive healthcare systems will put us on track for a more just and equitable Africa.

Parallel Sessions

Parallel Session One: Towards a Just Health System: Rethinking Global Health Funding

A call for bold reforms and innovative local funding solutions to transform the continent’s health independence.

Parallel Session Two: Health in Humanitarian Settings: Resilience Amidst Crisis

Explores adaptive health solutions in crises, focusing on immunization, sanitation, food security, and mental well-being to protect the vulnerable.

Parallel Session Three: Celebrated but not Supported: Reimagining Africa’s Health Workforce

Examines pathways to strengthen and support a resilient workforce, highlighting the potential of Africa’s young talent in shaping the continent’s healthcare future.

Parallel Session Four: Beyond Survival: Africa’s Plan for Climate Justice, Health, and Local Leadership

Amplifies the role of a unified, youth-led African voice in driving climate action, influencing global forums like COP, and leveraging mechanisms like the Loss and Damage Fund to secure a just and resilient future.

Parallel Session Five: Looking Inward: Driving Prosperity through African-Led Public-Private-Philanthropic Partnerships

Underscores the role of localization and collaborations in transforming health, empowering youth, and advancing community-centered solutions to accelerate Africa’s health and development goals.

Parallel Session Six: Traditional Medicine or Misinformation: Can Indigenous Knowledge Survive in Modern Healthcare?

Examines ways to merge ancient wisdom with contemporary health approaches to enhance care, preserve cultural heritage, and benefit future generations.

Parallel Session Seven: Breaking the Cycle: Locally-led Solutions for a Food-Secure Africa

Explores how indigenous practices and continent-led knowledge can bolster Africa’s food security, highlighting sustainable agriculture, infrastructure, and the role of youth in building a resilient, food-secure future.

Parallel Session Eight: The Fight Isn't Over – Stopping Disease Comebacks and Boosting Immunization

Addresses the urgent need to reach zero-dose children and prevent disease resurgence, exploring targeted strategies to overcome barriers in marginalized communities, strengthen health equity, and combat vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.

Parallel Session Nine: Digital Communication in Health: Navigating Behavior Change and Misinformation in a Social Media Era

Delves into strategies to counter misinformation in the digital age, examining its root causes and showcasing interventions that build trust and leverage Africa’s young population to promote reliable health information and safeguard public health.

Parallel Session 10: A Decade After Ebola: The Pandemics That Happened, Didn’t Happen, and Could Still Happen:

Ten years on, this session assesses Africa’s progress and remaining gaps in pandemic preparedness to bolster resilience against future threats.

Parallel Session 11: How to Overcome Stigma: Overthrowing a Culture of Shame

Tackles stigma’s impact on health by engaging community leaders and health advocates in strategies to shift perceptions, promote inclusion, and empower marginalized groups to seek care without fear.

Parallel Session 12: South-South Cooperation: Enhancing Collaboration Among the Global Majority to Meet Global Health Goals

Amid historic Global South leadership such as the G20, this session highlights how South-South partnerships in health innovation and manufacturing can advance sustainable health solutions tailored to the Global South’s needs.

Youth-Focused Sessions

From Tokenism to Takeover: Youth Redefining Leadership

Redefines youth leadership, spotlighting real impact through health, governance, and social change, and exploring pathways to build a powerful, youth-led movement for justice across Africa.

Healing Minds, Shaping Futures: Mental Health and Africa’s Next Generation

A dialogue on Africa’s youth mental health crisis, examining the impact of social challenges and exploring resilience-building strategies through insights from youth leaders and mental health experts.

Safeguarding Futures: Empowering Youth to Shape Africa’s Development Agenda

Empowering Africa’s youth to unlock the continent’s economic potential, highlighting digital literacy and democratic engagement as pathways for young leaders to drive a prosperous, sustainable future for Africa.

Reclaiming Control: Let’s Talk About Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Highlights innovative, digital approaches to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights for Africa’s youth, addressing barriers like restrictive policies and cultural challenges, and empowering young advocates to drive meaningful change.