By Juliet Umeh

Africa will take centre stage in the global health conversation as Nairobi prepares to host the World Health Summit Regional Meeting (WHSRM) 2026 from April 27 to 29 at the United Nations Office at Nairobi.

The high-level gathering, which continues the World Health Summit’s tradition of strengthening regional engagement on health priorities, is expected to bring together 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 meeting will convene policymakers, academics, civil society actors, private sector leaders and global institutions to deliberate on practical solutions for Africa’s health systems.

Dean of the Medical College, East Africa at Aga Khan University and International President of WHSRM 2026, Prof. Lukoye Atwoli, described the summit as a landmark moment for the continent.

“This is a significant milestone not only for AKU and Kenya but also for Africa’s health and development agenda,” Atwoli said.
According to him, the summit will spotlight African-led solutions while contributing meaningfully to the broader global health discourse.

“It reaffirms our commitment to shaping a healthier, more equitable future through research and education,” he added.
Emphasising the urgency of the moment, Atwoli noted that the global health landscape is undergoing rapid transformation.

“This is a pivotal time in the global health landscape where things are changing rapidly, and even here in Africa, we have been having conversations around those changes. I believe it will be a platform for us to speak for Africa about our contribution to the global health environment,” he said.

Participants expected at the summit include health ministers, senior policymakers, researchers and innovators, as well as representatives from multilateral organisations such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, African Union and UNICEF.

Deliberations will focus on strengthening health systems resilience, enhancing pandemic preparedness, accelerating digital innovation, improving equitable access to quality healthcare, and ensuring sustainable investment in health workforce development and financing.

Observers say hosting the summit underscores Africa’s growing influence in global health diplomacy and international partnerships. It also reflects the increasing leadership of African institutions in convening strategic forums critical to shaping the continent’s present and future health outcomes.

Governments, regional bodies, academic institutions, private sector organisations, civil society networks and development partners have been invited to actively participate in the 2026 World Health Summit Regional Meeting.