Nearly one million babies are stillborn in Africa each year — most preventable, many unrecorded, and too often invisible.
A new regional report, Improving Stillbirth Data Recording, Collection and Reporting in Africa, reveals both progress and persistent gaps in how stillbirths are counted and used for action.
Led by Africa CDC, in collaboration with the University of Cape Town, UNICEF, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the report draws on data from 33 African Union Member States. It shows that while most countries record stillbirths through their health systems, major gaps remain in policy, data quality, and use. Without accurate and consistent data, the true scale of loss remains obscured — and progress toward prevention is stalled.
Stillbirths are preventable — yet millions of families continue to experience loss without recognition or support. Improving stillbirth data is essential for accountability, for planning quality services, and for ensuring that every baby counts.
Stillbirths are a sensitive barometer of health system performance, reflecting access to quality antenatal, intrapartum, and emergency care. While maternal mortality has long been a policy priority, stillbirths remain underrepresented in national targets and global accountability frameworks.
Yet there is hope. Two-thirds of African countries now include stillbirths in their national health strategies, and more than half have set reduction targets. The report highlights examples of countries using high-quality data to drive action — proving that with the right investments in systems, policies, and accountability, stillbirths can be prevented.
The report categorizes countries by readiness:
- Those with mature systems needing strengthening
- Those with partial systems requiring support
- Those establishing foundational policies
Every stillbirth must be counted, reviewed, and drive action — because behind each number is a family, a story, and a chance for change.
Contact and inquiries
Margaret Edwin – Director of Communications and Public Information | Tel: +251 986 632 878 | Email: edwinm@africacdc.org