Africa is strengthening its position in shaping global health policy as the Aga Khan University (AKU) deepens collaboration with United Nations health agencies.
This collaboration comes ahead of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting (WHSRM), which is set to be hosted in Nairobi in April 2026.
In a high-level consultative meeting, senior officials from UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNAIDS and UN Women, collectively referred to as the H6 group, alongside the International Organization for Migration (IOM), met with AKU leadership to align priorities and reinforce partnerships for the upcoming Summit.
The engagement focused on positioning the Nairobi meeting as a platform for African-led health systems transformation, aimed at advancing evidence-based solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing health challenges.
UNICEF Representative to Kenya Dr. Shaheen Nilofer said hosting the Summit in Nairobi presents a strategic opportunity to elevate Africa’s voice in global health decision-making.
“Hosting this Summit in Nairobi places Kenya and Africa firmly on the global health map,” Dr. Nilofer said.
“The Summit themes strongly align with H6 priorities and the ‘every woman, every child agenda’, creating a powerful opportunity to bring together policymakers, practitioners and partners around shared health goals,” she added.
Dean of AKU’s Medical College in East Africa Prof. Lukoye Atwoli outlined the Summit’s eight thematic pillars, emphasising its ambition to drive measurable, practical outcomes rather than isolated interventions.
“Africa must shift from fragmented projects to systemic, sustainable health reforms,” Prof. Atwoli said.
“The Summit will convene policymakers, civil society, researchers, the private sector and development partners to deliver evidence-based solutions while amplifying Africa’s leadership in global health conversations,” he added.
Prof. Atwoli also serves as the International President of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting.
Participants at the meeting acknowledged that Africa’s rapidly evolving health landscape required deeper collaboration, coordinated investment and stronger integration between research, policy and implementation.
Key discussion areas included adolescent health, cancer research and genomics, mental health, health security, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the commercial determinants of health.
AKU specialists highlighted ongoing work in cancer genomics, mental health epidemiology, digital health innovation and health systems strengthening.
UN agencies expressed interest in partnering on technical sessions, co-hosting side events, and launching research reports during the Nairobi Summit.
Stakeholders underscored the importance of strengthening Africa’s research capacity and data-driven policy development, particularly in addressing health challenges unique to African populations.
These include genetic differences affecting cancer outcomes, persistent mental health stigma, and gaps in access to affordable essential medicines.
The meeting also emphasised the need to more deliberately engage youth, civil society organisations and the private sector in shaping sustainable health systems, recognising their role in innovation, advocacy and long-term resilience.
Participants further noted Kenya’s expanding health innovation ecosystem spanning digital health, biotechnology, regulatory reform and community health models as a strong foundation for hosting a Summit of continental and global significance.
Government support for the Summit is also growing, with plans underway for an African Union-led Heads-of-State segment and a high-level ministerial meeting during the event.
These engagements are expected to enhance Africa’s influence in setting global health priorities and mobilizing actionable commitments.
The consultative forum follows an earlier AKU-led donor roundtable focused on financing integrated African health systems, reflecting rising momentum among governments, academic institutions, development partners and private sector actors to accelerate Africa-driven health reforms.
A broader follow-up engagement involving AKU, Aga Khan Development Agencies, UN partners and Development Partners Health Kenya (DPHK) is planned to refine coordination and expand collaboration ahead of the Nairobi Summit.
Outcomes from the regional meeting are expected to feed into the global World Health Summit in Berlin later in 2026.
By Naif Rashid
