The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called on African leaders to stop relying heavily on foreign aid and instead invest in building strong and self-sufficient health systems.
Speaking at the Ibrahim Governance Weekend in Marrakech, Morocco, Dr. Tedros stressed the need for a shift in mindset across the continent. He said Africa must take ownership of its development and focus on long-term, homegrown solutions.
“We cannot look to others to solve our problems. The mindset of aid dependency must stop,” he said. “The difference between crisis and opportunity is leadership — from all of us.”
Dr. Tedros said health should be viewed as an investment in people, economic stability, and growth, not as a burden or cost. He urged African governments to increase funding for health and push for stronger leadership at all levels.
He also appealed to international lenders to treat African countries fairly. “When African countries pay more to borrow than high-income countries, there is something wrong with the system,” he said.
The WHO boss added that donor funding should not focus on day-to-day operations or external priorities, but rather on supporting national systems that reflect local needs. He praised the Lusaka Agenda’s “one plan, one budget, one report” framework as a step in the right direction.
Dr. Tedros also highlighted the importance of peace as a foundation for progress. “The best medicine is peace,” he said, warning that ongoing conflicts in parts of Africa are undermining development efforts and worsening health outcomes.
He pointed to Sudan and Chad as examples where violence has led to widespread disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, measles, dengue, diphtheria, and polio. He called for a ceasefire to allow for vaccine delivery and save lives.
Dr. Tedros reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting African countries in building better health systems. He said the organisation is ready to work with governments and partners to turn challenges into opportunities.
“This is a time to act. What we decide now will shape the future of global health,” he said.
