African Union (AU) Commissioner for Health, Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah, has urged African countries to reduce their dependence on external donor support and build resilient health systems through stronger domestic financing.

She said sustainable healthcare on the continent can only be achieved if governments take greater responsibility for funding the sector instead of relying heavily on foreign assistance, which she described as increasingly unpredictable.

Speaking at the African Union Extraordinary Health Summit in Accra on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Ambassador Twum-Amoah acknowledged the value of international partnerships but stressed that external support should complement, not replace, national investment in healthcare.

“We must transform health financing. Africa cannot build sustainable health systems on unpredictable and declining external assistance,” she said.

She called on African governments to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation and ensure healthcare remains a key priority in national budgets.

The AU Health Commissioner also urged countries to safeguard health sector allocations, improve the management of public funds and address inefficiencies that reduce the impact of available resources.

Ambassador Twum-Amoah further renewed calls for African nations to honour the Abuja Declaration by allocating at least 15 per cent of their national budgets to the health sector.

She, however, noted that increasing funding alone would not be enough, stressing that governments must also ensure resources are used efficiently to improve health outcomes.

“This is not simply about spending more. It is about spending better, prioritising prevention, primary healthcare, health workers, essential medicines, and services for those furthest behind,” she added.

According to her, investing in preventive healthcare, strengthening the frontline health workforce and improving access to essential medicines will be crucial to tackling the continent’s persistent health challenges and building stronger, more resilient health systems.