As global health leaders gather in Geneva for the 79th World Health Assembly, Amref Health Africa is using the moment to deepen Africa’s voice within the increasingly contested global health landscape.
The organisation has announced the launch of Amref Health Africa Switzerland, a new liaison office designed to strengthen engagement with policymakers, philanthropic institutions, research bodies and global health financing partners across Switzerland and Europe.
The expansion comes at a time when the architecture of global health financing and governance is facing mounting pressure.
Shrinking development assistance, geopolitical tensions, climate-related health threats and growing strain on public health financing are forcing governments and development institutions to rethink how healthcare systems are funded, managed and prioritised, particularly across developing economies.
Against that backdrop, Amref says the new Switzerland office is intended to help position African institutions and expertise closer to the centre of global health decision-making.
Africa Seeking Stronger Voice in Global Health
For decades, much of the global health agenda affecting Africa has largely been shaped by external donors, multilateral agencies and development partners headquartered outside the continent.
But as African countries confront increasingly complex public health pressures, ranging from disease outbreaks and maternal health challenges to climate-linked health risks and rising population demands, there is growing pressure for African institutions to play a more decisive role in setting priorities and designing solutions.
Speaking on the launch, Dr Githinji Gitahi said Africa could no longer remain at the margins of decisions that directly shape the future of its healthcare systems.
“As the global health landscape continues to shift, Africa must not remain on the margins of decisions that shape the future of its people and health systems,” he said.
“African countries, communities, and institutions are already leading innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.”
He added that the Switzerland office would strengthen Amref’s ability to engage international partners “on more equal terms” while ensuring partnerships are driven by African priorities and expertise.
The comments reflect a broader debate increasingly taking shape within international development circles over the need to rebalance global health governance and move away from donor-driven approaches toward more locally led systems.
Geneva’s Strategic Importance
The choice of Switzerland is highly strategic.
Geneva remains one of the world’s most influential centres for global health diplomacy, hosting key institutions including the World Health Organization alongside major global health financing bodies, philanthropic foundations and international policy organisations.
By establishing a presence there, Amref positions itself closer to the networks shaping global conversations around health financing, research, innovation and development policy.
The organisation said the Switzerland office would serve as a platform for partnership-building, resource mobilisation and policy engagement aimed at strengthening resilient and equitable healthcare systems across Africa.
The office is also expected to support efforts to elevate African research, evidence and innovation within international policy discussions that have historically been dominated by institutions from wealthier economies.
Pressure on Global Health Financing
The launch comes as concerns deepen over the future of global health funding.
Several international development agencies and donor countries have faced growing fiscal pressure amid economic slowdowns, geopolitical instability and competing domestic spending priorities.
This has intensified fears across many developing regions that healthcare systems could face widening financing gaps at a time when demand for services continues to rise.
Climate change is adding another layer of complexity.
Rising temperatures, disease migration, food insecurity and extreme weather events are increasingly creating new health risks across Africa, placing additional pressure on already constrained health systems.
Amref says its expanded international engagement will focus on areas including primary healthcare, health financing, women’s health, digital health innovation, climate and health, community health systems and broader global health reform.
Building African-Led Solutions
As Africa’s largest Africa-based international health organisation, Amref works with governments, health institutions and communities across the continent to improve healthcare delivery and strengthen health systems.
The organisation has increasingly positioned itself around the idea that sustainable healthcare progress in Africa must be driven by African expertise, institutions and local realities rather than externally imposed models.
Commenting on the Switzerland expansion, Guglielmo Micucci said the new office would help deepen collaboration between African health priorities and Switzerland’s global health ecosystem.
“We look forward to building partnerships that support sustainable, African-led solutions and contribute to lasting health impact across the continent,” he said.
The launch ultimately reflects a wider shift underway within global development conversations, where African institutions are increasingly seeking not only funding partnerships, but also greater influence over how international health priorities are defined, financed and implemented.
