In the high-stakes arena of African public health, five distinguished candidates are gearing up for a leadership bout that promises to reshape the continent’s health landscape.
Five distinguished candidates, each bringing a wealth of experience and unique vision, are vying for the influential post of Regional Director for the World Health Organization African Region. The candidates, formally announced this week by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, hail from Togo, Niger, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tanzania. The election, scheduled for May 18, 2025, in Geneva, comes at a pivotal moment for Africa’s public health future.
Togo’s candidate, Professor Moustafa Mijiyawa, brings substantial experience as a former Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Access to Health Care. Known for advocating accessible healthcare for all citizens, Mijiyawa played a pivotal role in advancing Togo’s health infrastructure and implementing nationwide reforms. His leadership extended beyond national boundaries through his tenure as the Chair of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Governing Board, where he promoted continent-wide initiatives to enhance disease prevention, surveillance, and response strategies. Prof. Mijiyawa’s candidacy underscores Togo’s increasing prominence in health leadership within West Africa, highlighting his international cooperation and health diplomacy skills.
Representing Niger, Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo enters the competition as a seasoned health administrator with extensive experience in both regional and global health governance. Dr. Sambo has held significant roles, including serving as the Director of WHO’s Climate and Health Department at the organization’s headquarters. His candidacy emphasizes a comprehensive strategy that addresses the underlying drivers of health issues, notably advocating robust policies to tackle climate change’s adverse health impacts. Sambo’s candidature reflects Niger’s aspiration to lead innovative solutions for health crises exacerbated by environmental factors, underscoring the necessity of collaborative regional efforts to address public health emergencies effectively.
Guinea’s nominee, Dr. Mohamed Lamine Drame, brings forward a vision focused intensely on strengthening regional surveillance and preparedness mechanisms against infectious diseases, leveraging his extensive experience in managing public health crises. Dr. Drame’s leadership philosophy revolves around enhancing the rapid response capabilities of African countries to outbreaks and epidemics, advocating for greater investment in health infrastructure and the training of frontline healthcare workers. His candidacy symbolizes Guinea’s commitment to elevating continental health security, emphasizing the critical need for sustainable healthcare frameworks resilient enough to withstand future health threats.
Côte d’Ivoire presents Dr. N’da Konan Michel Yao, whose illustrious career includes significant contributions to international public health, particularly in infectious disease control and health emergencies. Dr. Yao’s candidacy underscores his commitment to strengthening international collaboration, particularly between African countries and global health bodies. His track record of working closely with the WHO on various health emergencies positions him uniquely to advocate for strengthened international health partnerships that address both current and emerging challenges facing the continent. Yao’s vision highlights the necessity of building robust health systems through comprehensive international support and collaboration.
Tanzania’s Prof. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, Senior Advisor on Health Matters to President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan and Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital, rounds out the candidate list. Prof. Janabi is widely respected for his transformative impact on Tanzania’s healthcare system, especially in improving hospital management and elevating standards of clinical care. His leadership in cardiovascular medicine has not only raised the profile of Muhimbili National Hospital but also provided a blueprint for modernizing healthcare delivery across Tanzania. His candidacy highlights the importance of integrating clinical excellence with effective administrative and health policy reforms to tackle both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
As the election approaches, stakeholders across the continent and the international health community keenly anticipate the outcome, recognizing the crucial role the incoming Regional Director will play. Africa’s persistent health challenges—ranging from endemic diseases like malaria and tuberculosis to newer threats including non-communicable diseases and climate-induced health crises—require visionary and pragmatic leadership.
Each candidate offers distinctive strengths, from proven track records in national health system improvements to deep-rooted experiences in international cooperation and crisis management. The WHO African Region, comprising 47 diverse nations, will rely heavily on the chosen leader to navigate complex health landscapes, enhance regional cooperation, and advocate effectively for resources and policy changes on the global stage.
As the election date nears, the decision made in Geneva will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of health and development across the continent for years to come.