Africa CDC recommends Nigeria’s health reform model for continent

Africa CDC has endorsed Nigeria’s ongoing health reforms as a template other African nations can adopt, describing the model as a practical pathway to strengthening healthcare systems across the continent.

The Director General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, who spoke at the ongoing 2025 Joint Annual Review of the Health Sector in Abuja, themed “All hands, one mission: Bringing Nigeria’s health sector to light,” announced that Nigeria would serve as a pilot country for integrated health financing under the G20 partnership.

According to him, Nigeria’s progress underscores the role of evidence-based policy, strong political will, and strategic partnerships in strengthening health systems across Africa.

Highlighting the transformative impact of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), the Compact with stakeholders, and expanded private sector involvement, Dr. Kaseya noted that these initiatives have improved efficiency, boosted domestic resource mobilisation, and increased healthcare coverage for Nigerians.

While making reference to available data, which, according to him, had indicated that Nigeria was on the right path in terms of improved health care delivery, he urged African leaders to learn from Nigeria’s approach, emphasising the need for universal health coverage and national health insurance systems to reduce dependence on foreign aid.

He said, “This joint annual meeting is critical, not only for Nigeria, but for the African continent. For the next review, I will request the permission of the Minister and the Nigerian people to invite some of your brothers and sisters from Africa to come, sit with you, and learn from you. We come here to tell you, you are on the right track, and we support your approach.

“Over 20 African nations depend on Official Development Assistance (ODA) for more than 30 per cent of their healthcare spending. It means poor people are paying. In some fragile states, more than 60 per cent of health funding depends on ODA. This must change. If Nigeria can cut out-of-pocket expenditure by 88 per cent, the world will be glad. It will become another paradise.

“Reducing out-of-pocket health spending requires universal health coverage through national insurance systems, not reliance on donor aid. You cannot deal with out-of-pocket payments through ODA. You deal with it by putting in place a national health insurance scheme.

“Nigeria’s Sector-Wide Approach is evidence-based. It is cutting inefficiencies, fragmentation, and weak governance. I am impressed to hear what Aliko Dangote is doing for local production. We need more of Africa’s private sector investing in Africa, before calling others to come.”

Kaseya applauded Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, for leading the reforms, and acknowledged international partners who supported the process.

“This joint annual meeting is critical not only for Nigeria but for the African continent. Next year, I hope to bring in leaders from other African countries to learn from Nigeria’s experience,” he added.

Kaseya announced that Nigeria would be among a few pilot countries for integrated health financing under the G20 partnership, signaling the nation’s growing role as a continental health leader, saying, “Nigeria is making real progress; by next year, the world will see how we integrate everything and measure the impact.