Europe–Africa collaboration: working together to strengthen health research, implementation, and equitable systems

In September, 2024, representatives of EU directorates and agencies involved in health, research and innovation, and international cooperation and development met to discuss the Europe–Africa collaboration to improve health outcomes in Africa and achieve greater impact in supporting healthy lives and wellbeing across all ages. Although major health-related gains have been made in Africa in recent decades, the region still faces the double burden of high prevalence of infectious diseases and a growing challenge of non-communicable diseases. Existing challenges are exacerbated by new threats, including increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, substandard or falsified medicines, the increasingly severe impact of climate change, and the ongoing risk of new pandemics. These challenges and threats are compounded by fragile health systems and profound social and demographic shifts such as rapid population growth and urbanisation. Moreover, African countries face major barriers to accessing existing and new medical interventions because of affordability, regulatory, and other obstacles. Addressing these health challenges will be central to Africa's future. A healthier population will be the bedrock of economic advancement, minimising the financial burden on households and health systems, reducing lost productivity, minimising emigration from affected countries, and enabling Africa to benefit from the expanding global health-care market.