The Africa Health Collaborative (the Health Collaborative) is pleased to announce that Prof. Nhlanhla Thwala, Provost and Vice Chancellor of African Leadership University (ALU) and African Leadership College of Higher Education, has been appointed the new Chair of the Executive Steering Committee (ESC).
Prof. Thwala succeeds Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, whose leadership focused on fostering South-South collaborations and embedding research within the Health Collaborative.
Prof. Thwala brings a wealth of experience in academia and leadership to his new role. His vision for the Health Collaborative will build on the priorities set by the Executive Steering Committee (ESC), focusing on empowering young people and strengthening the organization’s commitment to research and evidence-based decision-making.
As chair of the ESC, Prof. Thwala will ensure the Health Collaborative continues to focus on:
- Fostering South-South collaborations: Continue the work of building partnerships across the African continent to address shared health challenges and learn from different approaches.
- Strengthen Research: Launch the call for proposals developed this year, to develop the evidence –base for policies and interventions.
- Center and Empower Young People: Position and empower young people as crucial partners of the Health Collaborative. Support the next generation of African health leaders through initiatives like hackathons and venture funding.
- Engage Policymakers: Engage policymakers, particularly within the African Union and other spheres of government, to align health and education policies.
Scenes from the Handing-over Ceremony
- Read more about Prof. Thwala’s vision for the Africa Health Collaborative here.
Profile of Prof. Nhlanhla Thwala
Prof. Nhlanhla Thwala has a distinguished 34-year career in academia and leadership. He began his career as a high school teacher in Eswatini in 1986 and holds an MA in Linguistics from Syracuse University and a PhD in Formal Linguistics from UCLA. His academic journey includes serving as a Visiting Scholar at Indiana University and holding senior positions at Wits University, where he was the founding Head of the School of Literature, Language, and Media.
Prof. Thwala has also served as Managing Director of CTI Education Group and Academic Director at Pearson Institute. He currently holds the position of Provost and Vice Chancellor at the African Leadership University (Rwanda) and the African Leadership College of Higher Education (Mauritius). His extensive leadership experience continues to shape higher education across Africa. He represents ALU on the Africa Health Collaborative’s Executive Steering Committee as a Member and Chair designate.
More News & Events
Skip scroller content
Beyond the Pitch: The Stories Driving FemSTEM Africa 2025
In Kigali, six women took the stage — each carrying a story shaped by experience. From newborn survival to menstrual health and maternal care, their ventures were more than ideas; they were solutions born from lived realities.
Building Community-Led Health Futures in Cape Town
Learn about how the University of Cape Town is partnering with communities in South Africa to co-create health solutions for better health outcomes
2026-2027 Graduate Scholarships Open at the University of Toronto
We are pleased to announce the start of the 2026-2027 Mastercard Foundation graduate scholarship recruitment at the University of Toronto. This scholarship opportunity is open to recent alumni and graduating students at our Africa Health Collaborative partner universities. These graduate scholarships will be awarded to those individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence in the associated health-related […]
Displaced into Purpose: From Kakuma Refugee Camp to the World Health Organization
This is the story of a young person’s journey from Kakuma Refugee Camp to the WHO – showing how lived experience can drive innovation in global health My name is Kuol Maper Alier. I was born in South Sudan, but my early life was shaped by displacement, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of purpose. I […]
Internship Opportunities Open in Ghana
The Africa Health Collaborative Secretariat is seeking two interns based in Ghana to support the communications team. See details of the two roles below. Communications Associate Position Overview The Communications Associate will play a key role in driving Africa Health Collaborative’s visibility and storytelling efforts. This individual will research priority health topics, engage partners and program leads, […]
2026-2027 Doctor of Public Health Scholarships Open
We are pleased to announce the start of the 2026-2027 Mastercard Foundation graduate scholarship recruitment at the University of Toronto. This doctoral scholarship opportunity is open to recent alumni and graduating students at our Africa Health Collaborative partner universities. These graduate scholarships will be awarded to individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence in associated health-related disciplines […]
AfyaFest 2025
Hosted by Amref Health Africa Who Can Participate Participants will include invited student-led teams and early-stage entrepreneurs from Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Ethiopia, Senegal, Zambia, and Canada—ensuring a rich mix of perspectives and experiences. The Experience Three days. One goal: Transform ideas into impact. FAQ We’re spotlighting solutions in four urgent health priorities: Maternal […]
Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Healthcare in Africa
Amid shifting global dynamics, higher education institutions have a powerful opportunity to lead a new era of innovation in primary healthcare (PHC) systems. In the next episode of the Health in Africa Series, we explore practical strategies that academic institutions can apply to strengthen PHC systems, especially in resource-constrained settings.
Africa’s Health Workforce Crisis: Insights from Ethiopia
Amid shifting global dynamics, higher education institutions have a powerful opportunity to lead a new era of innovation in primary healthcare (PHC) systems. In the next episode of the Health in Africa Series, we explore practical strategies that academic institutions can apply to strengthen PHC systems, especially in resource-constrained settings.
Mental Health and Identity for Students Studying at Home & Abroad
Amid shifting global dynamics, higher education institutions have a powerful opportunity to lead a new era of innovation in primary healthcare (PHC) systems. In the next episode of the Health in Africa Series, we explore practical strategies that academic institutions can apply to strengthen PHC systems, especially in resource-constrained settings.