From 17th to 23rd October 2026, the Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) will hold its Annual Convening, hosted by Amref International University in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme “Africa Unlocked: Co-creating Impactful and Sustainable Youth-led Health Innovations.”
The Convening will bring together young innovators and health leaders, universities, governments, policymakers, development partners, private sector leaders, entrepreneurs and researchers from across Africa to explore practical solutions that strengthen primary health care and create lasting impact.
This year, the spotlight is on Africa’s greatest strength—its young people. Together, participants will explore how youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration can create jobs, improve access to quality healthcare and build stronger, more resilient health systems across the continent. The Convening serves as the Collaborative’s flagship platform for learning, partnership, and collective action, creating space for ideas, evidence, and innovation to shape the future of health across the continent.
Throughout the week, participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions, share research and practical experiences, showcase innovations, share stories of change, and build partnerships that can help turn promising ideas into sustainable action. The Convening will also spotlight research by emerging scholars and celebrate innovations developed by AHC partners, communities and young entrepreneurs.
The 2026 Convening builds on the success of the 2025 gathering in Kigali, Rwanda, hosted by the African Leadership University, where partners identified shared priorities and made commitments to strengthen Africa’s health workforce and innovation ecosystem. Institutions announced major investments in scholarships, workforce development and innovation infrastructure, while partners committed to expanding cross-institutional exchange programmes, advancing AI-focused health curricula, strengthening shared learning and exploring an African Health Workforce Mobility Framework.
The Africa Health Collaborative continues to strengthen its role as a platform for African-led health solutions. Over the past year, the Collaborative has expanded opportunities for young innovators through initiatives like the Health Innovation Festival (HIFest) and FemSTEM Africa, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem leaders to help transform promising ideas into scalable health solutions. It has also championed inclusive leadership through the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship, highlighting the impact of investing in women leaders across Africa’s health systems. At the same time, AHC has continued to amplify young voices and fresh thinking on the future of healthcare through thought leadership that encourages new thinking about building health systems that are more equitable, innovative and responsive to community needs.
The 2026 Annual Convening builds on these achievements. More than a conference, it is a platform for collaboration, learning and action—where ideas become partnerships, evidence shapes policy, and young leaders help drive Africa’s health transformation.
Join us in Nairobi as we unlock Africa’s potential through collaboration, innovation and youth leadership to build stronger, more resilient health systems across Africa.
More News & Events
Skip scroller content
Emerging Leaders’ Day: From Youth Participation to Youth Influence
Emerging Leaders’ Day will bring together young health leaders from across Africa to build leadership skills, strengthen networks, and influence conversations shaping the future of health systems.
Leading Change Through Lived Experience
Across Africa, an emerging generation of health leaders is transforming personal challenges into powerful innovations. Through the AHC’s Young Leaders Committee, young researchers, entrepreneurs, technologists, and advocates are drawing on lived experiences with illness, caregiving, mental health, and healthcare inequities to design solutions that strengthen health systems and expand access to care.
2027-2028 Doctor of Public Health Scholarships Open
We are pleased to announce the start of the 2027-2028 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 […]
Health Innovation as a Pathway to Africa’s Health Sovereignty
Join the next HiAS as Dr. Robert Karanja explores how talent, research, investment, policy, and partnerships can unlock Africa’s potential in digital health, biotechnology, and deep-tech innovation.
Apply for Research Seed Grants from Moi University and the University of Toronto
Apply for the Research Seed Grants by Moi University and the University of Toronto. Eligible researchers can receive up to CAD $5,000 in seed funding to strengthen research capacity, generate new knowledge, and foster long-term institutional collaborations.
Ubuntu Rising: A Youth Leadership Summit for Africa’s Health Future
Ahead of the 18th World Congress on Public Health, Ubuntu Rising will bring together young African health leaders, innovators, and changemakers to co-create a shared agenda for youth leadership, employment, and innovation in health across the continent.
Young Leaders Redefining What Health Work in Africa Means
This International Youth Day, read about how the AHC’s young leaders are challenging traditional ideas and reimagining health work, strengthening health systems, and building the future of healthcare across Africa.
Associate Director, AHC Programs
Apply for this senior leadership role with the Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) to lead regional programs, strengthen partnerships, and advance health leadership, education, and innovation across Africa.
Turning Research into Policies that Improve Health and Wellbeing
Join Dr. Collins Okoyo, Principal Statistician at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), as he shares practical lessons on bridging the gap between research and policy, drawing on over a decade of experience in health data science, epidemiology, and disease modelling.
Addis Ababa University and Moi University Formalize Partnership to Advance Africa’s Health Workforce
Addis Ababa University and Moi University have signed a Memorandum of Agreement under the Africa Health Collaborative, establishing a strategic partnership to strengthen health education, research, innovation, and workforce development. The collaboration will create new opportunities for students, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs across Africa.