This year, the healthcare landscape in Africa is poised for significant transformation. Despite ongoing challenges, there are numerous opportunities for innovation and improvement.

In this article, we explore key trends expected to dominate the healthcare conversations in Africa in 2025, highlighting their potential impact and some initiatives exemplifying their progress.

1. Local vaccine and drugs production

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for local vaccine production in Africa. As a result, by 2025, there will be a significant increase in vaccine manufacturing capabilities to address this need, with facilities like Morocco’s SENSYO Pharmatech plant and BioNTech’s facility in Rwanda leading the way. The African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) initiative aims to produce 60% of Africa’s vaccine needs by 2040, reducing dependency on foreign supplies.

There is also a growing interest in expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing. IQVIA has supported five countries on this quest, working with Ministries of Health and Finance to evaluate the environment for private sector manufacturing. These efforts include investment promotion and feasibility studies for manufacturing facilities. Key concerns identified during our work include the availability of utilities, regulatory system maturity, and foreign exchange regulations.

These initiatives aim to enhance Africa's self-sufficiency in vaccine and drug production, improving the continent's ability to respond to health crises.

2. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiatives

Efforts to expand health insurance coverage will gain momentum, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and improve access to essential health services. Countries like Morocco, Ghana, and Kenya are making strides with their National Health Insurance Schemes, which are expected to cover a larger portion of the population by 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the importance of UHC in ensuring that all individuals receive the health services they need without financial hardship.

In their pursuit of universal health coverage, some African countries endeavor to redesign their entire health system. IQVIA supported one of them in thinking through and conceptualizing the relationships between the national and regional public institutions and health facilities under the new decentralized model. The clear definition of the roles and responsibilities emerged as a priority consideration, tinted with an apprehension of the resulting changes in power dynamics and expectations to overcome the existing challenges. Transparency and clear communication on steps undertaken and to come have proven to be essential to appease the fear of the unknown inherent to such a massive reform of the health system.

Successful UHC initiatives will lead to better health outcomes and reduced poverty levels due to healthcare costs.

3. Attracting investment for clinical research

Africa is the world's fastest-growing region, and the population could double by 2050, putting further strain on healthcare systems. The continent has made progress in controlling infectious diseases but faces the growing challenge of non-communicable conditions. Based on our work and research, out of the 20,825 trials that started globally in 2023, only 819 – or 4% of the total – were hosted by African countries, resulting in the continent providing less than 2% of genetic data analyzed in genomics research. Life science companies and other private sector actors can benefit from low competition and costs in key African markets, driving clinical research agendas that shape the therapeutic landscape and establish local expertise networks.

Not surprisingly, the establishment of clinical trial sites requires substantial investments. To address this question, IQVIA has been developing a sustainability framework for clinical trial sites with a view to optimizing the investments made to build them. Early understanding of the sites’ options for a second life once the clinical trial is over can inform some critical decisions at the planning stage that will impact the sustainability of the sites.

4. Focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

Public health initiatives play a crucial role in combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. These initiatives are essential for raising awareness, promoting healthy lifestyles, and providing early detection and treatment services. By implementing community-based programs and national campaigns, governments and health organizations can significantly reduce the prevalence and impact of NCDs. Effective public health strategies not only improve individual health outcomes but also alleviate the economic burden on healthcare systems, fostering a healthier and more productive society. For instance, Kenya’s national diabetes management program is a model for other countries to follow. The WHO’s Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs aims to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by 25% by 2025. This includes promoting healthy lifestyles, improving access to essential medicines, and integrating NCD care into primary health services.

5. Expansion of digital health technologies

Digital health technologies are set to revolutionize healthcare delivery across Africa. From telemedicine to mobile health apps, these technologies will enhance access to healthcare services, especially in remote areas. For instance, the use of telemedicine platforms like Babyl in Rwanda has already shown promising results in providing remote consultations and reducing the burden on physical healthcare facilities. Additionally, digital health tools can improve efficiency by up to 15%, allowing savings to be reinvested into healthcare systems. The integration of electronic health records and AI-driven diagnostic tools will further streamline healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.

6. Patient support and affordability programs to fuel access to care and innovation

The rise of Patient Support and Affordability Programs in Africa is transforming healthcare access across the continent. These programs are crucial in addressing the financial barriers that many patients face, ensuring that essential medicines and treatments are more accessible. As Africa’s population continues to grow, these initiatives are becoming increasingly important in managing both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Patient organizations and support programs are stepping in to fill gaps in healthcare systems, providing not only medical assistance but also psychosocial and logistical support

This holistic approach is vital for improving health outcomes and achieving universal health coverage goals in the region

In Morocco, IQVIA has proudly supported its partners through several Patient Support & Affordability programs involving more than 4000 patients in 2024.

7. Growing role of public-private partnerships (PPPs)

PPPs are set to play a crucial role in enhancing healthcare infrastructure and service delivery. Governments are increasingly collaborating with private entities to fund and manage healthcare projects, ranging from hospital constructions to digital health initiatives. This trend is likely to expand healthcare access and improve service quality in underserved areas.

In Nigeria, a Public-Private Partnership project led to the establishment of a state-of-the-art diagnostic center in Lagos. This center, funded by private investors and managed in partnership with the government, offers advanced medical imaging and laboratory services previously unavailable in the region.

Roche’s global access program, which was established in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and other organizations aims to scale up access to HIV viral load tests and has expanded to include other critical infectious diseases. This program has contributed significantly to the global effort to eliminate HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

These initiatives showcase the potential and effectiveness of PPPs in enhancing healthcare delivery and infrastructure in Africa, addressing gaps in healthcare services, and contributing to the overall improvement of public health on the continent.

Conclusion

The healthcare landscape in Africa is on the brink of a transformative era. To achieve progress, it is essential for governments, private sector players, and international organizations to collaborate and invest in sustainable healthcare solutions. Together, a healthier and brighter future for Africa is possible.