Young people contribute to public health as community advocates, researchers, innovators and health professionals. The Africa CDC Youth Programme supports them in shaping policy, developing professional skills, and leading initiatives that address their communities’ health needs.
The programme grew from the African Union COVID-19 Vaccination Bingwa Initiative, launched in April 2022, which trained and deployed 200 youth champions across Eastern and Southern Africa to promote vaccination and address misinformation. It has since expanded into leadership development, digital health, policy engagement and support for youth-led organisations.
The Youth Engagement and Participation in Global Health Strategy (YES!Health) 2025–2028 provides the framework for this work. It embeds youth participation across public health planning, partnerships and workforce development. Priorities include more inclusive participation, stronger coordination, career opportunities and financing for youth-led initiatives.
Through Bingwa PLUS, developed with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), young people receive grants, training and mentorship to implement community health projects. The first cohort supported 15 youth-led initiatives. At Binyaka Community Health Clinic in The Gambia, one grant recipient introduced an Excel-based tracking tool to improve hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination monitoring, with reported coverage rising from 15% to 86.7%.
Digital health is another focus. The Youth in Digital Health Network connects more than 1,800 members through professional development, research collaboration and policy discussions. The complementary Youth Digital Health Champions Programme provides training and mentorship; its 2026 cohort includes 50 participants from 26 countries, with women accounting for 48%.
The Youth Pre-Conference provides a platform for young researchers, health professionals, entrepreneurs and advocates to contribute to discussions at the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA). Together with related activities, the 2022, 2023 and 2025 editions engaged 460 young people. The Youth Advisory Team for Health provides a further channel for youth perspectives to inform programme priorities.
Working with partners, the programme targets young people across the African Union’s 55 Member States and the diaspora. Future priorities include wider implementation of YES!Health, expanded professional development and exchange opportunities, and stronger connections between young health innovators and potential sponsors.
