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More than 80 young health professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs and academics have proposed nine key reforms aimed at improving healthcare systems and expanding opportunities for young people across Africa.
The recommendations emerged from Ubuntu Rising 2026, an initiative convened by the Africa Health Collaborative and hosted by the University of Cape Town ahead of the 18th World Congress on Public Health.
Participants focused on the need for greater youth involvement in leadership, innovation and employment, arguing that young Africans should have a meaningful role in shaping decisions that affect the continent’s health sector.
The discussions also highlighted major challenges facing Africa’s health workforce. Data presented at the event showed that the continent is dealing with a shortage of about 5.5 million health workers, while nearly one million trained health professionals remain without meaningful employment.
The participants called for stronger institutional structures that can connect young professionals with opportunities, support innovation and create pathways for them to contribute to healthcare development.
The recommendations are expected to form part of the Africa Health Collaborative’s Youth Agenda and guide its future programmes, partnerships and engagement with stakeholders in the health sector.
The organisers said the initiative was designed to move beyond simply consulting young people by giving them a greater role in developing and implementing solutions for Africa’s healthcare challenges.
