By Sola Ogundipe

Towards attainment of the World Bank Group’s goal to help deliver affordable, quality health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030, Nigeria has committed to training 10,000 pharmaceutical and biotech professionals, creating Centers of Excellence, and offering tax incentives to expand local production of vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and health technologies.

In addition, Nigeria will strengthen regulatory agencies through digital systems and global alignment, promote mRNA research, expand clinical trial sites, and streamline approvals and biobank funding – advancing affordable primary care while building a more resilient, self-reliant health system.

A statement from the World Bank Group said that the initiative under the National Health Compacts – which are practical, five-year, country-led roadmaps launched with 14 other countries – outlining practical  reforms that aim to expand primary health care, improve affordability, and support job-rich economic growth.

Countries that launched their National Health Compacts alongside Nigeria include Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Zambia.

In Tokyo, Japan, the 15 participating countries presented National Health Compacts endorsed at the highest levels of government. The Compacts align Health and Finance Ministries behind measurable targets, provide a roadmap for coordinated action, and guide support from development partners around country-led priorities.

The reforms focus on three main areas: expanding the reach and quality of primary care, improving financial protection, and strengthening the health workforce.

The countries have committed to mobilising new financing, growing and digitally enabling their health workforce, modernising facilities, expanding insurance coverage, and using digital tools to improve service delivery.

Since the goal was announced  April 2024, the World Bank Group and partners have helped countries reach 375 million people with quality, affordable care. Work is on with roughly 45 countries to scale proven primary care approaches that strengthen health outcomes while generating employment across health workforces, local supply chains, and supporting industries.

This progress comes as governments confront aging populations, rising chronic disease, and financial pressures.

The  2025 Global Monitoring Report released at the Tokyo Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum noted that, 4.6 billion people lack access to essential health services and 2.1 billion people face financial hardship due to health expenses.

These challenges underscore the need for long-term, coordinated reforms that help countries build more resilient and equitable health systems.

World Bank Group President, Ajay Banga said: “Strong primary health systems do more than safeguard health-they support jobs and economic opportunity. Countries are stepping forward with clear priorities, and we are working alongside them to deliver practical solutions at scale. When efforts align behind what works, impact grows.”

To help countries advance their National Health Compacts and broader reforms, the World Bank Group, Gavi, and the Global Fund announced aligned financing, including $2 billion co-financed with each institution.

Philanthropic partners-working through the Global Financing Facility and the Health Systems Transformation and Resilience Fund-are working to mobilize up to $410 million of philanthropic support to galvanize far greater commitments to critical health areas.

Seed Global Health is working with compact countries to build capacity and provide support for assessments, planning, and policy development with a focus on advanced health workforce development.

Japan, a long-standing champion of universal health coverage, along with the United Kingdom and others, is providing technical assistance to help countries implement reforms.

To strengthen knowledge sharing, Japan, WHO, and the World Bank Group launched the Universal Health Coverage Knowledge Hub, which will support countries with practical, evidence-based solutions and peer learning.

The Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum-co-hosted by the Government of Japan, WHO, and the World Bank Group-brought together health and finance ministers, business leaders, philanthropies, global health agencies, and civil society.