[Health in Africa Series] Skilled Hands, Healthy Futures: What is the Path to a Thriving Health Workforce in Africa?

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Location
Zoom
Date(s)
Mar 27, 2025 from 9:30am (EDT)
Category
Spotlight
Pillar
Network Learning & Development

In the next episode, our expert speakers will unpack the exciting opportunities and pressing issues in developing a skilled and thriving health workforce for Africa. Drawing from their extensive experience, Nelly Ale, Acting Director of Health Workforce Development at the Mastercard Foundation, will discuss innovative programs designed to enable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young Africans in the primary health care and digital health sectors. Meanwhile, Dr. Marilyn Kimeu, Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company and Co-director at the McKinsey Health Institute, will provide expert insights on improving health systems, bridging education and employment gaps, and driving systemic change in Africa’s healthcare landscape. 

What you will learn:  

✅ The current landscape of Africa’s health workforce 
✅ Actionable pathways to foster a skilled and thriving workforce 
✅ Roles stakeholders must play to support this mission 

Whether you’re a policymaker, healthcare leader, or professional this episode is packed with powerful insights, innovative strategies, and key actions that can reshape healthcare across the continent. 

The Speakers

Nelly Ale

Acting Director of Health Workforce Development, Mastercard Foundation

Nelly Ale is a global health executive with extensive experience in healthcare financing, strategic program leadership, and public-private partnerships. She holds a BSc in Nursing, an MPH from the University of Liverpool, and an MSc in Health Economics, Policy, and Management from the London School of Economics. 

With experience across 20+ countries, Nelly has led major health initiatives in both public and private sectors, earning the Pharmaceuticals Marketing Excellence Award (2015) and the Skoll Award for Social Innovation (2022). 
As Acting Director of Health Workforce Development at the Mastercard Foundation, she drives programs that enable dignified work opportunities for young Africans in primary healthcare and digital health.

Dr. Marilyn Kimeu

Associate Partner & Co-Director of Sustainability & Health at McKinsey & Company

Dr. Marilyn Kimeu is an accomplished associate partner at McKinsey & Company and co-director of sustainability & health at the McKinsey Health Institute, based in Nairobi, Kenya. With more than ten years of combined experience in management consulting, healthcare, and youth empowerment, she spearheads ground-breaking projects to improve health systems and close the gap between education and employment in Africa.    

Before joining McKinsey, Dr. Kimeu developed her skills in a variety of positions. From 2012 to 2014, she worked as a Medical Officer in Kenya’s Ministry of Medical Services, where she oversaw clinical operations, trained junior employees, and participated in research in several areas. She previously worked in the UK as a healthcare researcher for GE Healthcare, turning a student challenge into a strategic business report with actionable insights.   

Dr. Kimeu has a medical degree from the University of Nairobi and a master’s in public health from the University of Warwick, with a focus on health economics, policy, and management. Dr. Kimeu, a dynamic leader at the nexus of healthcare and social impact, is devoted to promoting sustainable health systems and opening doors for marginalized young people. Her work demonstrates a special fusion of clinical expertise, rigorous strategic consulting, and a desire to promote systemic change in Africa and beyond. 

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