The first-ever Africa Health Summit has opened at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, drawing African ministers, global health leaders, private-sector executives, academics and development partners in a major push toward strengthening the continent’s health sovereignty.
Hosted by Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the summit is running under the theme, “Reclaiming Africa’s Health Future: From Dependency to Sovereignty through Innovation and Solidarity.”
More than 1,000 delegates from across Africa and beyond are attending, with discussions focused on shifting the continent away from reliance on external support and toward self-reliant, sustainable health systems.
Presiding over the opening ceremony as Chief Guest was Jeffah Amason Kingi, Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya.
He joined senior Ugandan leaders including Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Minister of Health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine, members of the diplomatic corps and leading health experts.
Summit sessions are centred on the future of health financing, improving local manufacturing of medicines and vaccines, strengthening regulatory systems and accelerating African-led innovation.
Exhibitions at Kololo showcased emerging homegrown solutions in diagnostics, digital health technology and vaccine development, reflecting the continent’s expanding capacity to innovate for its own health needs.
As the day’s proceedings closed, delegates turned to the 6th Annual Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA), an event celebrating individuals and institutions whose work has strengthened healthcare delivery, innovation and self-care across Uganda.
By bringing together policymakers, scientists, innovators and implementers from across the continent, the Africa Health Summit reinforces Uganda’s leadership in regional health dialogue and deepens Africa’s shared commitment to building resilient, sovereign and innovation-driven health systems.