Technical experts from 14 African countries, along with multilateral development banks, development partners, and global health initiatives, convened in Johannesburg from 23 September 2025 for a three-day Regional Technical Meeting on Innovative Financing for Health in Africa. The meeting was co-organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the Global Fund, providing a platform to discuss strategies for building sustainable and resilient health financing systems across the continent. Dr. Percy Mahlathi, Deputy Director General of South Africa’s National Department of Health, emphasized the need for innovative thinking to translate resolutions into meaningful actions that strengthen health systems and promote equity.
The meeting focused on collaborative discussions to identify practical strategies for mobilizing sustainable resources, improving the alignment of financing flows, and scaling up innovative mechanisms to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Participants shared experiences and co-created solutions to enhance health financing reforms, prioritizing evidence-based approaches that can be adapted and implemented by different countries. Nertila Tavanxhi, Senior Manager for Health Financing Country Support at the Global Fund, highlighted the importance of this collaborative platform for strengthening alignment around national health financing priorities.
Health financing remains a significant challenge in Africa, with out-of-pocket spending accounting for around 36% of total health expenditure, and nearly half of sub-Saharan African countries depending on external resources for more than a third of their health budgets. The meeting explored ways to mobilize and sustain domestic health financing through fiscal policies and innovative instruments, enhance efficiency through improved partner coordination, and promote innovative approaches such as blended finance, social impact bonds, pooled procurement, and climate-health financing. Dr. Adelheid Werimo Onyango from WHO emphasized the importance of using resources strategically to build resilient health systems that deliver for all.
Participants also acknowledged the pressures posed by shifting external financing realities, framing them as opportunities to rethink approaches and mobilize sustainable, country-led solutions. Ms. Shenaaz El-Halabi, WHO South Africa Country Representative, stressed that innovative financing involves not only new instruments but also new partnerships, shared risk approaches, and stronger commitments to align resources with national priorities.
Over the course of the three days, the meeting featured keynote presentations, country case studies, peer learning, and ideation sessions. Examples of country-led innovations highlighted included Ghana’s Medical Trust Fund and VAT revenue adjustments for health insurance, South Africa’s TB Social Impact Bond linking financing to measurable outcomes, and Tanzania and Nigeria’s advances in pooled procurement and local pharmaceutical production. The meeting concluded with the development of country ideation maps outlining pipelines for innovative financing opportunities and a commitment to establish a regional community of practice to maintain momentum and foster ongoing collaboration across Africa.
