Ruto Declares Africa Ready To Lead Global Health As World Health Summit 2026 Opens In Nairobi
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Africa is no longer waiting to be invited to the global health table, it is demanding a central seat and shaping the agenda itself.
That was the strong message from Kenya’s President, William Ruto, as he officially opened the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 in Nairobi.
Addressing global health leaders, ministers, scientists, and development partners, President Ruto said the summit marked a significant shift in the recognition that Africa is no longer a passive participant in global health, but an active architect of its priorities and outcomes.
He noted that hosting the summit on African soil for only the second time underscores the continent’s growing importance in global health policy and innovation.
Ruto highlighted Africa’s health challenges, revealing that while the continent carries more than 25 per cent of the global disease burden, it accounts for less than 3 per cent of global health expenditure.
He added that Africa produces less than 2 per cent of the medicines and vaccines it consumes, describing the imbalance as unsustainable and calling for urgent system-wide transformation.
He stressed that Africa must move beyond fragmented interventions and embrace stronger governance, better financing, and coordinated investments to build resilient health systems.
Using Kenya as an example, the President outlined reforms his government has implemented under Universal Health Coverage.
He disclosed that since the launch of the Social Health Authority in October 2024, nearly 30.7 million Kenyans have registered, increasing health insurance coverage nearly fourfold from fewer than 8 million people two years earlier.
He also revealed that Kenya has deployed over 100,000 community health promoters and invested heavily in digital health systems to improve service delivery, transparency, and accountability.
Looking ahead, Ruto urged African nations to increase domestic health financing, strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing, invest in health professionals, and lead in biotechnology, genomics, and vaccine development.
“To our global partners, Africa seeks partnerships grounded in mutual benefit, aligned with national priorities, and focused on long-term investment rather than short-term assistance,” he said.
He concluded by declaring the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 officially open, describing a healthy Africa as essential to global stability, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
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