Applications Now Open: Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026 — Africa Ready for the Future of Health
Africa is preparing for the next generation of public health leadership, and young Africans are being invited to play a central role.
The Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference (YPC) 2026 is now accepting applications from young Africans who are contributing to public health through research, innovation, entrepreneurship, advocacy, policy, communications, community engagement and other areas.
Held immediately before the 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026), YPC 2026 will serve as the official youth platform of the conference, bringing together emerging leaders from across the continent with senior public health institutions and decision-makers.
A platform for Africa’s next generation of health leaders
Africa’s public health future will increasingly depend on the generation currently entering and leading its health systems, laboratories, research institutions, businesses, communities and policy environments.
YPC 2026 aims to create a space where these young professionals and emerging leaders can exchange ideas, present solutions and contribute directly to discussions about the future of health across Africa.
The programme is intended for a broad range of participants, including:
- Young health professionals
- Students and researchers
- Public health innovators
- Entrepreneurs
- Advocates
- Health communicators
- Community leaders
- Digital health specialists
- Emerging policymakers
The event will also provide opportunities for participants to connect with Africa’s public health leadership and build networks that can continue beyond the conference.
From health dependency to health sovereignty
The 2026 edition is closely linked to the Africa CDC Health Security and Health Sovereignty agenda and the ambitions of CPHIA 2026.
The central question is not simply what challenges Africa’s health systems face, but who will lead the response, what Africa will build and how the continent’s young generation can turn health sovereignty into practical action.
Participants will therefore be encouraged to focus on concrete solutions, partnerships and priorities that can contribute to stronger and more resilient African health systems.
Building on a growing youth movement
The Youth Pre-Conference has developed as part of a broader effort to strengthen youth participation in Africa’s health agenda.
The first YPC was launched in Kigali in 2022, where young participants called for greater involvement in health decision-making and increased investment in youth skills and leadership.
The 2023 edition in Lusaka expanded the discussion around youth leadership and gender-responsive health security. These efforts contributed to stronger institutional mechanisms for youth participation, including the Youth Advisory Team for Health (YAT4H).
At CPHIA 2025 in Durban, Africa CDC introduced the Strategy for Youth Engagement and Participation in Global Health 2025–2028 (YES!Health).
YPC 2026 builds on this framework by connecting young people’s ideas and leadership directly to the priorities and commitments of CPHIA 2026.
What will YPC 2026 deliver?
YPC 2026 is designed as a working platform rather than simply a networking event.
Over two days, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, showcase African-led solutions, develop professional connections and identify priorities that can feed into the wider CPHIA 2026 discussions.
1. Bringing young Africans closer to decision-making
The programme aims to create direct opportunities for young people to interact with public health leaders, policymakers and institutions.
Participants will be able to contribute to recommendations concerning Africa’s health security and health sovereignty.
2. Showcasing African research and innovation
YPC 2026 will provide greater visibility for youth-led research, innovations and practical solutions developed across the continent.
Promising initiatives can also benefit from connections with institutions, mentors, partners and networks capable of helping them develop further.
3. Strengthening Africa’s future health workforce
Another major objective is to strengthen connections between emerging professionals working across areas such as:
- Public health
- Research
- Digital health
- Emergency response
- Local manufacturing
- Policy
- Advocacy
- Community engagement
The organisers aim to help young Africans identify new professional and leadership pathways within the continent’s health sector.
4. Turning YES!Health into action
YPC 2026 will also contribute to the implementation of the YES!Health Strategy by seeking concrete opportunities, partnerships and institutional commitments that can strengthen youth participation in Africa’s health agenda.
Expected outcomes
The organisers expect YPC 2026 to generate several practical outcomes.
These include a consolidated set of youth priorities and recommendations that can inform discussions and commitments at CPHIA 2026.
The event is also expected to increase the visibility of youth-led research, innovation, advocacy and public health solutions from African Union Member States.
Another important objective is to build stronger networks connecting young leaders with:
- African public health institutions
- Researchers
- Policymakers
- Funders
- Programme implementers
- Other emerging health leaders
Participants should also gain clearer pathways to contribute to health workforce development, disease preparedness and response, innovation, local manufacturing and community leadership.
Five key tracks for YPC 2026
The Youth Pre-Conference will focus its discussions and activities around five thematic tracks:
Digital Health, Research and Innovation
Exploring how technology, research and innovation can help transform healthcare and strengthen African health systems.
Building Africa’s Public Health Workforce
Focusing on the skills, leadership and professional networks needed to develop the next generation of African public health professionals.
One Health, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Addressing the interconnected challenges affecting human, animal and environmental health, as well as Africa’s capacity to prepare for and respond to health emergencies.
Local Manufacturing and Health Sovereignty
Examining how stronger African manufacturing capacity can reduce dependency and improve the continent’s ability to produce essential health products and technologies.
Youth Leadership on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV
Giving young leaders a platform to contribute to discussions around sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention and response, and youth-focused health policies.
An opportunity for young Africans to shape the future
The Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026 represents an opportunity for young Africans to move beyond being participants in public health discussions and become contributors to the decisions, innovations and institutions shaping the continent’s future.
With YPC 2026 taking place immediately ahead of CPHIA 2026, participants will have an opportunity to connect youth priorities with one of Africa’s major public health gatherings.
For young professionals, researchers, students, innovators, entrepreneurs and advocates interested in Africa’s health future, the programme offers a platform to learn, connect, showcase ideas and influence the continent’s public health agenda.
Applications are now open
Young Africans interested in participating are encouraged to review the official YPC 2026 prospectus for detailed information about the five thematic tracks, eligibility requirements, application process and participation opportunities.
Africa’s health future will require new ideas, stronger institutions and a generation prepared to lead. YPC 2026 is designed to help build that generation.
https://africacdc.org/news-item/applications-now-open-africa-cdc-youth-pre-conference-2026/