South Africa will take centre stage this year as it hosts the fourth edition of the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA), scheduled to take place in Durban from 23 to 25 October 2025.
The annual event, organised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), is regarded as one of the continent’s most important public health platforms.
It brings together experts, policymakers and advocates to confront pressing health challenges and highlight Africa’s leadership in developing homegrown solutions.
Speaking at a recent media briefing, Prof Yap Boum II, Deputy Incident Manager for Mpox at the Africa CDC, described the conference as a crucial platform to tackle issues that affect millions across the continent.
He noted that hosting the event in South Africa at the same time as the G20 summit would provide an opportunity to amplify Africa’s voice on global health priorities.
“The 4th edition of CPHIA will be an opportunity to gather between 5,000 and 10,000 African scientists, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss local manufacturing, outbreak management and universal health coverage. It will also take advantage of the G20 in South Africa so that Africa’s voice is heard at a time when global leaders are meeting,” Prof Boum said.
Running under the theme “Moving Towards Self-Reliance to Achieve Universal Health Coverage and Health Security in Africa,” this year’s conference will spotlight African science and innovation while fostering collaboration across the continent.
The meeting comes at a critical moment as Africa grapples with the impact of reduced health funding from Western countries. By focusing on health security and building resilient systems, organisers say the conference aims to better prepare the continent for future public health emergencies while addressing long-standing health inequities.
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today