By Dorothy Musyoka
Former Kenya President,Uhuru Kenyatta, has called on African nations to prioritize financial independence and reduce reliance on foreign aid.
Speaking at the inaugural East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit (EARGHSS 2025) at the PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort Convention Centre in Mombasa, Kenyatta emphasized that Africa must take charge of its own future by investing in local health systems, research, and economic self-sufficiency.
“It is crucial that we position ourselves at the forefront of any discussions on pandemics and proactively develop strategies to ensure we are fully prepared for such challenges,” he stated.
He stressed that Africa’s preparedness must be driven by its own resources, rather than waiting for external support.
Kenyatta highlighted the importance of local investment in vaccines, medical research, and the private sector to build a resilient healthcare system.
“We must look into ways of getting prepared with our own resources, vaccines, research, academia and private sectors to face any future challenges and that funding has to come from ourselves. We have to begin to reprioritize what is important for Africans and determine where our resources should be channelled,” noted the former President.
Kenyatta also pointed to the devastating effects of conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel region, which have derailed economic growth and weakened healthcare systems.
He called for greater collaboration to end conflicts as a key step toward ensuring a stable and self-reliant Africa.
The three-day summit, themed “Securing Health and Security One Community at a Time,” brings together health experts, policymakers, and private sector leaders from 14 member states to enhance regional collaboration in health security, preparedness, and innovation.
The event is organized by a coalition of leading institutions, including the Kenya Ministry of Health, Kenya Vision 2030, Jumuiya Economic Development Secretariat, Global Centre for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Centre, Eastern Africa Regional Coordination Centre (EA-RCC), Africa CDC, and Amref Health Africa.