Health ministers and senior government officials from across Africa have concluded the National Forum on Health Financing (FONAFIS 2026) in Ouagadougou, with renewed commitments to strengthening sustainable and resilient health systems across the continent.
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone was represented at the high-level forum by the Minister of Health, Austin Demby, who actively participated in key discussions and highlighted ongoing healthcare reforms in the country.
The forum brought together policymakers and stakeholders to advance dialogue on critical issues, including universal health coverage, domestic resource mobilization, and innovative financing mechanisms to support national health systems.
In his remarks, Dr. Demby noted that the gathering provided an important platform for exchanging ideas and aligning shared priorities. He emphasized that African countries must adopt both homegrown and continent-wide strategies to address healthcare financing challenges, particularly as low- and middle-income countries continue to face increasing pressure from growing populations and emerging health threats.
The engagement underscored the importance of regional solidarity and reinforced the urgent need for stronger collaboration among African nations to build resilient and sustainable healthcare systems.
The FONAFIS 2026 forum served as a strategic platform for open dialogue, experience sharing, and the development of innovative approaches to resource mobilization. Discussions focused on improving efficiency in public spending and fostering collective action to enhance health outcomes across the continent.
According to Dr. Demby, “Health lies at the heart of Sierra Leone’s human capital development and social progress. Ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare requires adequate resources, effective financing mechanisms, and the collective mobilization of all stakeholders.” He further noted that President Bio remains strongly committed to achieving these goals.
At the closing of the conference, Dr. Demby joined fellow ministers of health in paying a courtesy visit to Ibrahim Traoré, reaffirming diplomatic and regional ties.
Key stakeholders and institutions engaged in the forum included the World Health Organization, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and Partners in Health, among others highlighting the importance of global and regional partnerships in advancing Africa’s health financing agenda.