Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for sustainable health financing mechanisms to strengthen Africa’s healthcare systems through efficient resource mobilization and utilization.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the sidelines of the 38th African Union Summit, Tinubu emphasized that Africa’s economic growth and social stability depend on a robust healthcare system that ensures access to essential medical services for millions across the continent.
According to a statement signed by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, Tinubu made this call at a High-Level Meeting on Domestic Health Financing in Africa.
“Africa cannot continue to rely solely on donor funding and foreign aid, which, although helpful, are often unpredictable and unsustainable. Instead, we must develop innovative financing strategies tailored to our unique challenges and circumstances,” she stated.
The High-Level Meeting, convened by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, brought together African leaders, donor agencies, and funding partners to discuss homegrown solutions to Africa’s healthcare challenges, particularly in light of impending funding gaps due to recent U.S. policy changes.
### **Increased Domestic Investment in Health**
Sharing Nigeria’s perspective, Tinubu underscored that a healthy continent is a wealthy continent and urged African nations to take decisive action in bridging healthcare funding gaps.
She highlighted the importance of national health budgets, calling on governments to uphold their commitments under the Abuja Declaration, which mandates that at least 15% of national budgets be allocated to healthcare.
“Given the increasing funding gap for health on the continent, I urge us all to come together and commit to advocating for increased national health budgets. We must also support innovative financing mechanisms and explore sustainable models, such as expanding health insurance coverage, health endowment funds, and investments from the African diaspora,” she said.
As the Global and National Stop TB Champion, the First Lady also emphasized the role of African First Ladies in mobilizing resources for healthcare through government engagement, private sector collaboration, and international partnerships.
### **Africa Looking Inward for Solutions**
The meeting featured discussions from leaders of Rwanda, Ethiopia, Botswana, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Barbados, alongside donor agencies and global health partners.
Consensus emerged on the urgent need for Africa to look inward in addressing its healthcare challenges—through investment in local research, medical technology, improved manpower, and sustainable funding strategies.
The leaders agreed that accountability and transparency must be central to any new financing models to ensure that allocated funds are effectively utilized.
The meeting, held at a critical juncture for Africa’s healthcare landscape, signals a renewed commitment to self-reliance and sustainability in health financing.
With pressing funding gaps and evolving global financial dynamics, Nigeria and other African nations are pushing for innovative, homegrown solutions to secure the future of healthcare across the continent.
The AU Summit, which President Bola Tinubu is attending, is scheduled to run from February 14–18, 2025.
