Health Takes Center Stage at TICAD 9 as Africa Looks to the Future
This week, leaders from African governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector gathered in Japan for the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). One of the strongest themes emerging from the discussions is health—highlighting its importance as the foundation of inclusive and sustainable growth.
Universal Health Coverage as a Human Right
At the heart of the debate is the principle of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which ensures that all people can access essential health and nutrition services without being pushed into poverty. UHC means safer childbirth in health facilities, children protected from preventable diseases, workers staying healthy enough to remain productive, and families not being forced to choose between buying food and paying for medicines.
A Youthful Demographic Transformation
West and Central Africa are experiencing rapid population growth. Over the next quarter century, 200 million children are expected to be born in the region, bringing today’s population of 534 million to even higher levels. By mid-century, almost 20 percent of the world’s youth will live here. Harnessing this demographic dividend depends on investing in health and nutrition from early life, which directly supports learning, skills development, and economic productivity.
Health Systems as Engines of Growth
Building resilient health systems also creates jobs. Projections suggest the region could generate 1.4 million skilled health professional roles and about 800,000 community health worker positions in the coming years. In addition, scaling up local pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing would create employment, strengthen expertise, and reduce the outflow of skilled workers.
The economic case for better health is equally strong. A study in Ghana showed that malaria accounts for nearly 40 percent of lost working days, illustrating how disease undermines productivity and growth.
The Way Forward
As TICAD 9 highlights, investing in health is not just about saving lives—it is about shaping Africa’s economic destiny. Expanding access to care and nutrition will empower the region’s youth, generate jobs, and sustain long-term prosperity.
In short, the future of Africa’s development rests on ensuring that every child, every mother, and every worker can count on reliable, affordable, and quality health services.
