Africa to Chart Path Toward Health Self-Reliance at 4th International Public Health Conference in Durban

By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal

The 4th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2025) will take place from 22 to 25 October 2025 in Durban, South Africa, with a focus on driving Africa’s journey toward self-reliance, universal health coverage, and health security.

Co-hosted by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Government of South Africa, in partnership with AfricaBio’s 8th Annual BIO Africa Convention, the four-day event will bring together political leaders, policymakers, scientists, innovators, civil society, and youth representatives to discuss how Africa can build stronger, more resilient health systems and reduce dependence on foreign aid.

In his message ahead of the conference, Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, described CPHIA as a critical platform for uniting African voices to shape a sustainable health future.

“CPHIA is a vital part of ongoing efforts by African countries and Africa CDC to build stronger, self-reliant health systems. It provides an important platform for leaders, public health experts, and communities to reimagine and transform health financing, ensuring Africa’s health security is driven by African leadership, innovation and partnerships,” Dr Kaseya said.

The 2025 edition holds global strategic importance as it precedes the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled for early November under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. Outcomes from the conference will form the “Durban Declaration”, articulating Africa’s collective voice and ensuring that African-led solutions feature prominently at global health and development summits.

According to Professor Olive Shisana, CPHIA 2025 Co-Chair, the conference is a defining opportunity to align the continent’s priorities on self-reliance and health transformation.

“We aim to align around a Durban Declaration that ensures these priorities are front and centre during the G20 and Global Fund meetings in November,” she said.

Led by Professor Olive Shisana, President of Evidence Based Solutions, and Professor Placide Mbala Kingebeni, Director of the National Institute of Biomedical Research in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the scientific committee for CPHIA 2025 will draw experts from over 20 countries to shape an evidence-driven agenda built around three strategic pillars:

Financing the Future: Investing in resilient and sustainable health systems through innovative funding models that empower African ownership. Boosting Local Manufacturing: Expanding vaccine, medicine, and diagnostic production across the continent to reduce import dependence. Transforming Primary Health Care: Showcasing African-led innovations such as telemedicine and AI-powered digital health solutions to improve access in underserved communities.

Dr Nhlanhla Msomi, President of AfricaBio, said the partnership between BIO Africa and Africa CDC underscores the growing synergy between science, innovation, and public health.

“Together, we can harness the continent’s life sciences ecosystem to drive health resilience and self-reliance,” he stated.

Since its launch in 2021, CPHIA has evolved into Africa’s leading public health convening platform. The first edition, held virtually, drew over 12,000 participants, while subsequent editions in Kigali and Lusaka attracted more than 5,000 delegates, including heads of state, ministers, and leading scientists.

As Africa prepares for CPHIA 2025, expectations are high that the conference will accelerate continental efforts toward health sovereignty, innovation, and equity, setting a powerful tone for the upcoming G20 Health and Leaders’ Summits.