The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Government of Ethiopia have officially launched the Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) 2026, aimed at advancing Africa’s health security and sovereignty.
The inauguration ceremony took place in Addis Ababa ahead of the main conference scheduled for November 23–27, 2026, also in the Ethiopian capital.
The conference, themed “Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty: Transformation from health dependency and vulnerability to ownership and resilience,” seeks to promote African-led solutions and strengthen resilient healthcare systems across the continent.
Speaking at the event, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadera Abera, said the launch reflects Africa’s commitment to building a stronger and healthier future in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He noted that CPHIA 2026 will help drive the continent from dependency toward self-reliance, resilience, and coordinated action.
According to him, the conference will bring together governments, scientists, health experts, policymakers, and development partners to develop practical solutions for improving public health across Africa.
The Acting Deputy Director-General of Africa CDC, Raj Tajudeen, described the event as a key platform for evidence-based policymaking across the African Union’s 55 member states. He noted that participation has grown significantly since the inaugural edition in 2021, with expectations of up to 30,000 attendees in 2026.
He added that the conference will build on previous commitments, including the Durban Promise, focusing on health sovereignty, stronger governance systems, improved primary healthcare, and enhanced regional cooperation.
The CPHIA remains Africa CDC’s flagship annual gathering, serving as a platform for dialogue on public health challenges, scientific innovation, and collaborative strategies for transforming healthcare systems across Africa.
