During the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, emphasized the importance of sustainable health financing mechanisms in strengthening Africa’s healthcare systems. She highlighted the need for innovative financing strategies tailored to Africa’s unique challenges, moving away from reliance on unpredictable donor funding and foreign aid.
At a High-Level Meeting on Domestic Health Financing in Africa, Tinubu called for increased domestic investment in health, urging African nations to bridge healthcare funding gaps and uphold commitments under the Abuja Declaration. She emphasized the role of national health budgets and proposed exploring sustainable models like health insurance coverage, health endowment funds, and investments from the African diaspora.
The meeting, convened by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, brought together African leaders, donor agencies, and funding partners to discuss homegrown solutions to healthcare challenges on the continent. Leaders stressed the importance of looking inward for solutions, investing in local research, medical technology, improved manpower, and sustainable funding strategies with a focus on accountability and transparency.
The discussions underscored a renewed commitment to self-reliance and sustainability in health financing for Africa, amidst evolving global financial dynamics and pressing funding gaps. The leaders advocated for innovative, homegrown solutions to secure the future of healthcare across the continent. President Bola Tinubu also attended the AU Summit in Ethiopia, scheduled for February 14–18, 2025.