Originally published by Forbes on 17/09/2025.
Naser Al Yammahi, CEO of Hayat Biotech, outlines why public-private and global partnerships are critical for Africa’s healthcare future.
The recent decline in funding for the World Health Organization (WHO) has ignited a critical global debate: who will ensure healthcare access in vulnerable regions like Africa if traditional multilateral support diminishes? This funding shortfall exposes a stark reality—global health is a collective responsibility that can no longer rest solely on international organizations.
Africa’s healthcare systems face mounting pressures: rapid population growth, increasing burdens from infectious and non-communicable diseases, and glaring infrastructure deficits. These challenges weigh heaviest on some of the world’s most resource-constrained health systems. Any cutbacks in WHO or international aid risk deepening these vulnerabilities, threatening hard-won progress.
This moment calls for fresh thinking and innovative collaboration models. Public-private partnerships (PPPs), reinforced by strategic global cooperation, must become the foundation of Africa’s healthcare future.
From Emergency Response to Long-Term Resilience
In recent years, global health challenges have underscored the undeniable power—and necessity—of strategic collaboration. I am proud to have contributed meaningfully to these life-saving efforts. Delivering vaccines and diagnostics across Africa and beyond was only achievable through strong, coordinated partnerships with governments, public institutions, and international organizations.
Spearheading the establishment of one of the region’s most advanced vaccine manufacturing facilities remains one of my proudest professional achievements, representing a major step forward for healthcare sovereignty. Building on that milestone, I have been actively steering and engaging with international aid initiatives, overseeing their delivery of essential medicines to communities facing urgent challenges.
Three Priorities for Lasting Impact
1. Build Local Capacity
Private sector expertise must be harnessed to collaborate with African institutions. This expertise and collaboration will be vital in strengthening infrastructure, facilitating skills transfer, and investing in a resilient healthcare and scientific talent pipeline.
2. Foster Self-Reliance
Supporting indigenous innovation ecosystems in biotechnology, clinical research, and supply chain resilience will empower African countries to shift from being passive recipients to active creators of healthcare solutions.
3. Adapt to Local Contexts
No universal model exists. Successful partnerships require deep alignment with national priorities, cultural realities, and existing healthcare systems. Context-sensitive strategies—not one-size-fits-all approaches—will create enduring value.
Africa: A Vital Global Partner
Africa’s healthcare challenges should not be viewed only as barriers; they represent enormous opportunities for global innovation. The continent’s youthful demographics, entrepreneurial energy, and expanding biotech investment environment position it as a strategic partner in shaping the future of healthcare.
The reduction in WHO funding is a wake-up call: no single sector or institution can address global health challenges alone. Governments, private enterprises, and international organizations must act with urgency, equity, and clear vision.
I remain deeply committed to this mission. By working together, we can build resilient, innovative, and self-sustaining healthcare systems in Africa—ensuring that the lessons learned benefit not only the continent but the world as a whole.
Africa’s healthcare future demands nothing less than our collective best effort.