Africa is set to take centre stage in the global health dialogue as Nairobi prepares to host the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 from 27 to 29 April at the United Nations Office at Nairobi.

This high-level gathering continues the World Health Summit’s mission of fostering regional engagement on health systems priorities and advancing practical solutions that resonate across Africa and beyond.

Hosted by The Aga Khan University under the theme Reimagining Africa’s Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence, the meeting will convene influential voices from government, academia, civil society, the private sector and global institutions.

“This is a significant milestone not only for AKU and Kenya, but also for Africa’s health and development agenda,” said Professor Lukoye Atwoli, Dean of the Medical College, East Africa at Aga Khan University and International President of the 2026 World Health Summit Regional Meeting. “The summit will spotlight African-led solutions while shaping the broader global health conversation. It reaffirms our commitment to building a healthier and more equitable future through research and education.”

Emphasising the summit’s broader context, Professor Atwoli added: “This is a pivotal moment in the global health landscape. Change is happening rapidly, and we are part of that conversation. The meeting will provide a platform for Africa to articulate its contribution to the global health agenda.”

The Nairobi meeting is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates, including health ministers, senior policymakers, researchers, innovators and representatives of multilateral organisations such as Africa CDC, the World Health Organization, the African Union and UNICEF.

Delegates will engage in policy dialogues, plenary sessions and collaborative workshops focused on strengthening health systems resilience, pandemic preparedness, digital innovation, equitable access to quality care and sustainable investment in the health workforce and financing.

Hosting the summit underscores Africa’s growing role as a hub for health diplomacy and international partnership. It also highlights the leadership of African institutions in convening forums critical to shaping the continent’s present and future health outcomes.

Governments, regional organisations, academic institutions, private sector actors, civil society networks, donors and advocates for healthier societies across Africa are invited to participate actively in the 2026 World Health Summit Regional Meeting.

The World Health Summit Regional Meetings are annual convenings held in different regions to advance dialogue on context-specific health priorities as part of the broader World Health Summit platform. Organised by members of the World Health Summit Academic Alliance, these meetings bring together leaders and experts to co-design solutions, strengthen partnerships and ensure that regional perspectives inform global health agendas.