ECSA-HC: It’s Time for Africa to Lead; Not to Follow in Global Health Governance

The Director General of the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, has called for greater ambition, unity, and assertiveness in Africa’s engagement with global health governance.

Speaking during the Global Health Diplomacy Workshop in Lusaka, he stressed that the continent can no longer afford to be a passive actor in shaping international health frameworks this is a high time it need to focus on being proactive architect of global health governance.

“Africa must not remain on the periphery of global decision-making,” Dr. Ntuli said. “We must step forward as a region that speaks with one voice, negotiates with clarity, and asserts our right to shape global frameworks in ways that reflect our realities.”

Dr. Ntuli was speaking during the Global Health Diplomacy Workshop held on 20 November 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia under the theme Leveraging the Pandemic Agreement, Revised International Health Regulations (IHR) (2025) and the Right to Health to Advance Africa’s Global Health Diplomacy Agenda. The event, convened by ECSA-HC in partnership with WHO AFRO and EQUINET, brought together senior officials, diplomats, and experts from across the region.

He highlighted that Africa stands at a historic turning point with the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement and the Revised International Health Regulations (IHR 2025), noting: “The global health architecture is shifting before our eyes, and the decisions made today will shape how our countries prepare for and respond to future threats.”

Reflecting on ECSA-HC’s long investment in regional health diplomacy, he added: “Since 2010, we have been preparing our region for this moment. This workshop marks another milestone in strengthening Africa’s negotiating voice.”

He went on to announce the forthcoming ECSA-HC Certificate Course on Health Diplomacy, stating: “If Africa is to influence global health governance, we must build a new cadre of negotiators who understand the terrain and can defend the continent’s interests with confidence.”

Earlier delivering his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of Zambia’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi welcomed participants by reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to multilateral collaboration. “Regional cooperation is no longer optional it is the backbone of our collective health security,” he said.

He emphasized the significance of the recently endorsed Pandemic Agreement, noting: “This agreement introduces a framework anchored in equity, solidarity and fair access. These are values Africa has championed, and we must ensure they are upheld in implementation.”

Turning to the IHR 2025, Dr. Lishimpi underscored their transformative potential. “The revised IHR 2025 introduce stronger provisions for early detection, reporting, and One Health integration elements that are indispensable for resilient health systems,” he noted. Yet he cautioned that Africa must navigate these reforms with strategic clarity: “We must safeguard our sovereignty, protect our people, and strengthen our resilience as these global instruments take shape.”

Dr. Lishimpi further reminded delegates that diplomacy is itself a powerful tool for health security. “Diplomacy in global health is just as important as vaccines or medicines. Without diplomatic strength, technical solutions cannot succeed,” he said.

The workshop brought together senior-level representation from ECSA-HC Member States and key regional and global partners, including the WHO, World Bank, IGAD, and EQUINET.

During a panel discussion on the Pandemic Agreement and the revised IHR 2025, Dr. Charles Kuria Njuguna from the WHO Africa Region shared deep reflections on Africa’s negotiating experience at the World Health Assembly. He emphasized that Africa fought hard to ensure equity remains at the center of the Pandemic Agreement yet this struggle, he warned, “is far from over.”

“The question now is not what the agreements say, but how Africa ensures these commitments become reality,” Dr. Njuguna stressed. He highlighted the critical importance of technology transfer, TRIPS flexibilities, regional manufacturing, and enhanced surveillance systems. “We cannot talk about preparedness if Africa does not have the ability to detect, produce, and respond from within the continent,” he added.

ECSA-HC works across its nine Member States and extends its support to additional non-member countries to strengthen health systems, advance regional cooperation, and drive evidence-based policies that improve the wellbeing of communities across East, Central and Southern Africa.

This workshop is part of its ongoing advocacy to strengthen health governance and preparedness across its Member States reinforced the region’s commitment to advancing a unified, influential African voice in global health.