Speaker: H.E. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, Ghana

Moderator: Dr Mories Atoki, CEO, ABCHealth, Nigeria

Panellists:

• Prof. Stanley Okolo, Immediate Past DG, WAHO & Hon Professor of Global Health at University College London, Nigeria
• Njide Ndili, President, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria HFN, Nigeria/Country Director - PharmAccess
• Dr Babatunde Omilola, Head of Division, Human Development - Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex, African Development Bank Group, USA
• Dr. Bannet Ndyanabangi, Vice President, Global Programs, VillageReach, Africa
• H.E. Augusto Gomes, Minister of Health, Guinea-Bissau
• Nabil Daher, Senior Division Manager, Nihon Kohden Middle East
  
  Africa’s healthtech sector is at a turning point, with digital innovations reshaping healthcare delivery, diagnostics, and patient management. As investment in health technology gains momentum, what will it take to scale solutions and ensure equitable access? This panel will bring together industry leaders to explore the investment landscape, regulatory challenges, and the role of AI and data-driven technologies in transforming healthcare across the continent.
  
  Key Discussion Points:
• What are the key investment opportunities in African healthtech, and how can startups attract funding and scale successfully?
• How can pharma harness AI, big data, and digital health tools to advance drug development and patient care?
• How can Africa drive healthcare innovation while ensuring data security, privacy, and ethical AI adoption?
• What strategies can expand digital health access to underserved communities, particularly in remote and low-connectivity regions?

Moderator: Prof. Joel Okullo, President, Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) and President of the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, Uganda

Panelists:

• Johan Descombes, General Manager, Côte d'Ivoire, Network Head, Francophone West & Central Africa, Roche Diagnostics
• Charles Fordjour, President, Healthcare Federation of Ghana, Ghana
• Dr. Donald Ibe Ofili, Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN)
• Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Ghana.
• H.E. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health, Gambia
• H.E Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health, Nigeria
  
  Africa’s pharmaceutical, biotech, and research sectors are poised for rapid growth, yet unlocking their full potential requires stronger collaboration between industry players, governments, and investors. This panel will explore how strategic partnerships can drive innovation, boost local manufacturing, and accelerate R&D to meet the continent’s healthcare needs.
  
  Key Discussion Points:
• How can African nations attract multinational pharma and biotech investment to drive technology transfer and local capacity building?
• What strategies can governments use to secure pharma investment while ensuring equitable access to affordable medicine?
• How can academic institutions and research organizations accelerate innovation and the development of treatments for Africa’s most pressing health challenges?

Moderator: Prof Edward Kunonga, Director of Public Health & Wellness, NEOM Health and Wellbeing Authority, Saudi Arabia

Panellists:

• Dr Francis Ohaniyido, Director- General, West African Institute of Public Health, Nigeria
• Agnes Mwagiru - Business Development Lead, Siemens Healthineers, Middle East and Africa
• Ismahene Ben Mehidi, Accord Countries Access and Engagement Lead, Pfizer
• H.E. Dr. Ibrahima Sy, Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Senegal
• Dr Modupe Elebute - Odunsi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital, Nigeria
• Sarah Cleto Rial, Minister of Health, South Sudan
• Vincent Chen, Head of Global Marketing, Snibe Co. Ltd.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are now Africa’s fastest-growing health crisis, responsible for nearly 40% of deaths across the continent. With cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses on the rise, healthcare systems must rapidly adapt to address this shifting burden. This panel will explore the role of public-private partnerships, technology, and sustainable financing in tackling NCDs at scale.

Key Discussion Points:

• What are the economic and healthcare consequences of Africa’s growing NCD burden, and what policy interventions are critical for long-term resilience?
• How can pharma, medtech, and digital health leaders co-create scalable solutions for NCD management, from local drug production to AI-driven diagnostics?
• What role do AI-powered early detection, precision medicine, and next-gen diagnostics play in transforming Africa’s approach to NCDs, and how can regulatory innovation accelerate adoption?

Moderator: Boniface Njenga, Deputy Director, Health Delivery and Systems, Gates Foundation

Panellists:

• Prof Edward Kunonga, Director of Public Health & Wellness, NEOM Health and Wellbeing Authority, Saudi Arabia
• Dr Lucy Mazyanga, Regional Director - Africa CDC Eastern Africa RCC, Africa CDC, Kenya
• Samia Cherif, Head of Government Affairs Middle East, Africa, Pakistan, CIS & Turkey, Illumina, UAE
• Prof. Joel Okullo, President, Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) and President of the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, Uganda

Africa’s healthcare future hinges on early detection, rapid response, and real-time disease intelligence. From pandemics to rising non-communicable diseases, visibility remains a critical challenge. This panel will explore how AI, big data, and cross-sector collaboration can revolutionize disease tracking and outbreak preparedness.

Key Discussion Points:

• How can African governments, global health organizations, and pharma companies collaborate to build a robust disease surveillance ecosystem?
• What role do AI, genomics, and real-world data play in improving disease visibility and accelerating outbreak response?
• How can pharma and biotech companies invest in Africa’s public health efforts—spanning vaccine R&D, diagnostics, and supply chain resilience?
• What funding and policy models can support large-scale public health initiatives while ensuring long-term sustainability?

Moderator: Dr Morkor Newman Owiredu, Immediate retired medical officer & Adviser, WHO,Geneva

Panellists:

• Dr. Kwasi Boahene, Director of Health Systems, PharmAccess
• Dr. Fiona Braka, WHO Ghana representation, Ghana
• Nyawira Njeru - Regional Director - Africa, HOLOGIC
  
  Despite decades of progress, HIV remains a significant public health challenge across Africa. As the region faces shifting demographics, emerging health threats, and donor transitions, a new approach is needed—one that integrates innovation, sustainability, and equity. This panel explores how Africa can reimagine its HIV response by leveraging localized manufacturing, data-driven care, private sector engagement, and next-gen prevention tools.
• How can African nations attract private investment in healthcare while ensuring equitable access to essential treatments and services?
• How can African countries build self-reliant HIV responses amid shrinking donor funding?
• What role can private sector players, including pharma and diagnostics firms, play in strengthening prevention, treatment, and supply chains?
• How can innovations like long-acting PrEP, mRNA vaccines, and AI-driven data improve outcomes and reduce new infections?
• How do we tackle stigma, improve retention in care, and reach key populations with equity at the centre?

• The commitments needed to drive long-term transformation in healthcare investment.