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United Nations health agencies, in partnership with Aga Khan University (AKU), have agreed to align institutional priorities to support African-driven health system transformation.

The commitment was made at a high-level meeting held ahead of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting (WHSRM), where stakeholders reviewed strategies for strengthening sustainable, locally driven health systems across Africa.

Officials from UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNFPA, UNAIDS and UN Women — collectively known as the H6 — alongside the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), welcomed AKU’s leadership in convening the Summit and highlighted Nairobi’s growing importance as a regional hub for global health engagement.

UNICEF Representative to Kenya, Dr Shaheen Nilofer, said hosting the Summit in Nairobi aligns strongly with UN priorities.

“Hosting this Summit in Nairobi puts Kenya firmly on the global health map. The themes align closely with the H6 agenda and the Every Woman, Every Child framework, offering a powerful opportunity to bring together practitioners, policymakers and partners around shared priorities,” she said.

Dean of AKU’s Medical College in East Africa, Prof Lukoye Atwoli, briefed partners on the structure of the Summit and its eight thematic focus areas, stressing its emphasis on practical, evidence-based outcomes.

“Africa must move from fragmented projects to systems-level change. The Summit will convene policymakers, civil society, researchers, the private sector and development partners around measurable solutions, while amplifying Africa’s voice in global health discussions,” Atwoli said. He also serves as International President of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting.

Other AKU officials at the meeting included Aga Khan University Hospital CEO Rahid Khalani; Director of the Brain and Mind Institute, Prof Zul Merali; Director of the Cancer Centre, Prof Mansoor Saleh; and Director of University Advancement, Arif Neky.

Discussions focused on priority areas such as adolescent health, cancer research and genomics, mental health, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, health security and the commercial determinants of health. AKU experts highlighted ongoing work in cancer genomics, mental health epidemiology and health innovation, while UN agencies expressed interest in co-hosting sessions and side events at WHSRM Nairobi.

Participants underscored the importance of strengthening research and data to inform policy, particularly where African populations face unique challenges, including genetic variations in cancer, mental health stigma and limited access to essential medicines. The meeting also emphasised deeper engagement with youth, civil society and the private sector.

There was broad recognition that Kenya’s expanding health innovation ecosystem — spanning digital health, biotechnology and regulatory reform — provides a strong foundation for hosting a Summit of global significance, with noted support from the Government of Kenya, including plans for an AU-led head-of-state segment.

The meeting noted that WHSRM Nairobi is expected to benefit Nigeria, which is implementing major health reforms, including the commissioning of the African Medical Centre of Excellence in Abuja and securing over $2.2 billion under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.

Nigeria is renovating more than 17,000 primary health centres, training 120,000 frontline health workers and expanding health insurance coverage to 83 million people by 2030, while its health-tech sector raised over $50 million in 2024.