African policymakers, researchers and global health leaders will gather in Nairobi in April 2026 to push home-grown reforms to the forefront of global health discussions, as uncertainty over financing, governance and geopolitical tensions reshape the international landscape.
The World Health Summit Regional Meeting (WHSRM) 2026, scheduled for April 27–29 at the United Nations Office at Nairobi, is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates from across Africa and beyond.
Hosted by Aga Khan University under the theme Reimagining Africa’s Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence, the summit will focus on African-led strategies to strengthen health systems resilience, pandemic preparedness and equitable access to care.
Organisers say the timing is critical as countries navigate shifting donor priorities, constrained public finances and the long-term aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local packaging of WHO-approved HIV tests, a shift in Africa’s diagnostic capacity
“This is a significant milestone not only for AKU and Kenya but also for Africa’s health and development agenda. The summit will spotlight African‑led solutions while shaping the broader global health conversation. It reaffirms our commitment to shaping a healthier, more equitable future through research and education,” said Lukoye Atwoli, dean of the Medical College, East Africa at Aga Khan University and the international president of the WHSRM 2026.
Further emphasizing the summit’s significance, Atwoli stated, “This is a pivotal time in the global health landscape where things are changing rapidly, and even out here we have been having a conversation around those changes. I believe it will be a platform for us to speak for Africa about our contribution to the global health environment.”
Read more:Breast cancer patients fall on hard times
The Nairobi meeting is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates, including health ministers, senior policymakers, researchers, innovators, and representatives of multilateral organizations such as Africa CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), the African Union, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Delegates will engage in policy dialogues, plenaries, and collaborative workshops focused on advancing health systems resilience, pandemic preparedness, digital innovation, equitable access to quality care, and sustainable investments in health workforce and financing.
Hosting this summit underscores Africa’s growing role as a hub for health diplomacy and international partnership, highlighting the leadership of African institutions in convening forums that are critical to the continent’s current and future health outcomes.
Governments, regional organizations, academic institutions, private sector players, civil society networks, donors, and all advocates for healthier societies across Africa are invited to actively participate in the 2026 World Health Summit Regional Meeting.
