Africa’s leading health experts, policymakers, and innovators have converged in Durban, South Africa, for the 4th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2025), a landmark event set to redefine the continent’s journey towards self-reliance amidst donor funding cuts, universal health coverage, and the pursuit of resilient health systems.
Held under the theme “Moving Towards Self-Reliance to Achieve Universal Health Coverage and Health Security in Africa,” the conference is being hosted by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Government of South Africa, in collaboration with AfricaBio’s 8th Annual BIO Africa Convention.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the official opening, Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, said that at a defining moment for Africa’s health future, CPHIA 2025 would provide an African-led platform to accelerate progress in strengthening local manufacturing, increase domestic health financing, and develop innovative solutions to fund health services as well as disease response and prevention.
Dr Kaseya added that this edition of the conference is particularly special, as it builds on the synergies African countries have demonstrated in responding to the MPox outbreak, which has now affected 27 countries.
“CPHIA is an opportunity for African health experts to engage globally and share evidence on addressing critical health challenges, including MPox, which remains a public health emergency for the continent. To achieve this, we need to build health security through Africa’s capacity to innovate, sustain health financing, and deliver quality, equitable care to all,” said Dr Kaseya.
With representation from ministers of health, researchers, health practitioners, youth leaders, the media, and civil society, CPHIA 2025 will serve as a driving force for Africa’s public health transformation, turning lessons from recent crises into tangible, sustainable progress.
“What sets CPHIA apart is its African-driven agenda,” added Professor Olive Shisana, President of Evidence Based Solutions and Co-Chair of the CPHIA organising committee.
Weighing in on the need for innovation, Dr Nhlanhla Msomi, President of AfricaBio, said the emergence of artificial intelligence can optimise the discovery of medical solutions and support countries that are already advanced in health technologies.
Commenting on the conference is Deputy Director for the Health Promotion Division at the Ministry of Health in Malawi, Dr Kondwani Mamba.
“Malawi can learn from other countries’ approaches to disease surveillance, emergency response, and technology transfer in the production of essential medical supplies,” said Dr Mamba.
Beyond the conference halls, CPHIA 2025 aims to influence decision-making at major global platforms, including the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa, positioning the continent as a global health leader rather than a passive recipient of aid.
The event builds on the momentum of previous editions held in Kigali, Rwanda (2022), and Lusaka, Zambia (2023), which have cemented CPHIA as the largest health conference on the continent and a catalyst for action on local manufacturing, pandemic preparedness, and health systems strengthening.
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