Health at the Core of Africa’s Growth: Awareness, Action, and Priorities for the Continent’s Challenges

In a new Briefing unveiled in preview at the Choiseul Africa Business Forum on 4–5 November in Rabat, Choiseul Africa sheds light on a decisive issue for the continent’s future.

As Africa approaches the threshold of 2.5 billion inhabitants by 2050, public health is emerging as far more than a humanitarian imperative: it is becoming a critical economic asset, capable of strengthening human capital, boosting productivity, and accelerating the integration of young people and women into the economy.

Drawing on fifteen years of field experience from the Muskoka Fund for Women’s and Children’s Health, this Briefing offers a structured reading of the progress achieved, the persistent challenges, and the priorities shaping the new Muskoka 3.0 trajectory.

A continent under pressure — yet equipped for transformation

West and Central Africa continue to face deep structural vulnerabilities: shortages of human resources, stark territorial inequalities, food insecurity, and insufficient basic infrastructure. These fragilities translate into a staggering human toll every single day:

• 721 children under five die daily from preventable causes — 30 every hour, 1 every two minutes.
• 276 newborns die each day — 12 every hour, 1 every five minutes.
• 46 women lose their lives every day due to preventable maternal causes.

These figures underscore the urgent need to treat public health as a strategic investment, essential to building resilient and prosperous societies.

The Muskoka model: towards a coordinated health approach

For the past 15 years, the Muskoka Fund has embodied a unique and effective mechanism. By bringing together France’s financial commitment with the coordinated action of four UN agencies (WHO, UN Women, UNFPA, UNICEF), and by anchoring interventions in the priorities of six African states, the Fund demonstrates the feasibility of a multisectoral, high-impact approach.

The results speak for themselves:

• 17% reduction in neonatal mortality (from 32.9 to 27.2 per 1,000 live births).
• 78% increase in modern contraceptive coverage (from 11.6% to 20.7%).
• 62% increase in family planning needs met (from 24.7% to 39.9%).
• 20% reduction in early marriage, a key driver of women’s empowerment.

These achievements confirm that a coordinated model—rooted in trust, national ownership, and operational efficiency—can deliver meaningful and replicable outcomes.

Three priorities for “Muskoka 3.0”

1. Building systemic solutions through multisectoral action

Health, nutrition, and gender equality can no longer be addressed in isolation. The Briefing calls for the strengthening of integrated programmes designed to maximise impact for vulnerable populations. The goal: move beyond fragmented interventions to build resilient and sustainable systems.

2. Strengthening coordinated partnerships on the ground

Success depends on the concerted mobilisation of governments, UN agencies, and local actors. Effective implementation requires contextualised action, closely aligned with local realities and embedded in the long term.

3. Connecting national policies with regional dynamics

Scaling innovations demands alignment between national priorities and regional agendas. Integration and cooperation are essential to disseminate best practices and tailor solutions to diverse local contexts.

Turning demographic momentum into a driver of growth

By placing health at the core of development strategies, Africa can turn its demographic growth into an opportunity: healthy youth, empowered women, enhanced productivity, and more inclusive and resilient economies.

This Choiseul Briefing reinforces a powerful conviction: investing in women’s and children’s health is an investment in the continent’s long-term sustainability.

Between international coordination and national leadership, the Muskoka model demonstrates that structural transformation is not only possible — it is already under way, saving thousands of lives while laying the foundations for stronger African economies.