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The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved its Strategy for Quality Health Infrastructure in Africa 2022-2030. The strategy, which is the first for the bank, was developed in response to a call by the bank’s Board for the institution to define its role in addressing Africa’s health infrastructure deficits, highlighted by the ongoing pandemic.
 
The strategy focuses on three categories of health infrastructure underpinned by three cross-cutting themes: improved internet and communications technology connectivity, to strengthen health information systems and support innovation; promoting regional collaboration and harmonizing health policies and regulation; and policy dialogue and technical assistance.
 
“We must give hope to the poor and the vulnerable, by ensuring that every African, regardless of their income level, gets access to quality health care, as well as health insurance and social protection,” AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina, commented.
 
Against the backdrop of a grossly underfunded healthcare system in Africa, which needs around $26 billion in annual capital investments to revamp, AfDB has committed to investing $3 billion in Africa’s pharmaceutical industry over 10 years in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. The bank also launched a multi-billion dollars Covid-19 Response Facility to support its regional members through the pandemic.