WHO Urges African Govts to Boost Research, Innovation Funding

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on African governments to significantly increase domestic investment in science, research and innovation as a critical pathway to achieving health security and sustainable development across the continent.

The global health body also urged international partners to scale up support for African-led scientific initiatives, promote equitable partnerships, and expand access to essential technologies and knowledge. It stressed that scientific progress must be inclusive, noting that breakthroughs that fail to reach vulnerable populations remain incomplete.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, made the call in a statement marking World Health Day, themed “Together for health: Stand with science.” He emphasised that sustained investment in science has been central to the longer life expectancy, improved disease prevention and life-saving treatments recorded globally.

Janabi highlighted Africa’s growing contribution to global health innovation, citing landmark achievements such as the rapid development and deployment of Ebola vaccines in West and Central Africa, and advanced genomic sequencing efforts in South Africa that enabled early detection of new COVID-19 variants and informed global response strategies.

He further noted that the establishment of WHO-supported mRNA vaccine technology transfer hubs is positioning Africa to produce its own vaccines, underscoring the continent’s potential to drive both local and global health solutions.

“Through science, we are not only solving African problems but shaping global solutions,” he stated.

The Regional Director also pointed to significant gains recorded across the continent, including expanded immunisation coverage, improved maternal and child health outcomes, and the transformation of HIV into a manageable condition through widespread access to antiretroviral therapy.

Despite these advances, he warned that Africa continues to face a complex mix of persistent infectious diseases, emerging health threats, and fragile health systems. He stressed that addressing these challenges requires coordinated, cross-sectoral action anchored on the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal and environmental health systems.

According to him, notable progress has been made, with 46 countries developing National Action Plans for Health Security, while all Member States have established frameworks to combat antimicrobial resistance. Several countries have also strengthened integrated surveillance and response systems.

However, he identified critical gaps, including limited funding for research and innovation, uneven surveillance infrastructure, and weak early warning systems.

“Our shared challenge is clear: we must invest in innovation and ensure equitable access to its benefits,” Janabi said.

He outlined WHO’s vision for a new era of health in Africa, built on universal access to proven health interventions, resilient systems capable of responding to emerging threats, modernised workforce capacity supported by digital innovation, and stronger country ownership of health programmes.

Reiterating the urgency of collective action, WHO urged African governments to prioritise sustained investment in science and innovation, while calling on global partners to reinforce collaboration and support mechanisms that will enable Africa to fully harness its scientific potential.

The organisation maintained that strengthening research and innovation ecosystems across the continent is not only vital for Africa’s health security but also essential to advancing global health outcomes.