Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026 : 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026), YPC 2026 for Africa

Africa Ready for the future of health

Africa’s public health future will be shaped by the generation now entering and leading its health systems, institutions, laboratories, research programmes, businesses, communities and policy spaces. YPC 2026 will bring young Africans from across the continent together to help shape that future.

Taking place immediately ahead of the 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026), YPC 2026 is the official youth platform for the conference. It will connect young health professionals, students, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, advocates, communicators and community leaders with one another and with Africa’s public health leadership.

The 2026 edition is anchored in Africa CDC’s Health Security and Sovereignty agenda and the CPHIA 2026 ambition to move from health dependency and vulnerability towards ownership and resilience. The focus is practical: who will lead, what Africa will build, and how young Africans can help turn health sovereignty into action.

Building on a growing youth movement

YPC was launched in Kigali in 2022, where young participants called for greater inclusion in health decision-making and stronger investment in their skills and leadership. The 2023 edition in Lusaka deepened the focus on youth leadership and gender-responsive health security. These efforts helped strengthen institutional mechanisms for youth participation, including the Youth Advisory Team for Health (YAT4H).

At CPHIA 2025 in Durban, Africa CDC launched the Strategy for Youth Engagement and Participation in Global Health 2025-2028 (YES! Health), creating a continental framework for meaningful youth participation in Africa’s health agenda. YPC 2026 moves that agenda forward by linking youth ideas and leadership directly to the conversations, priorities and commitments of CPHIA 2026.

What YPC 2026 will deliver

YPC 2026 is designed as a working platform for young Africans who are already contributing to stronger health systems and want to influence what comes next.

Over two days, participants will exchange ideas, showcase solutions, build relationships and develop priorities that can inform CPHIA 2026.

Our objectives

• Young Africans closer to decision-making. Create direct opportunities for young people to engage public health leaders, policymakers and institutions, and to shape recommendations on Africa’s health security and sovereignty.
• Surface African-led ideas, research and innovation. Give visibility to youth-led solutions and connect promising work with institutions, partners, mentors and networks that can help it grow.
• Strengthen the next generation of Africa’s health workforce. Build connections and pathways across public health, research, digital health, emergency response, local manufacturing, policy, advocacy and community engagement.
•  Advance YES! Health through action. Translate the Africa CDC youth engagement strategy into concrete opportunities, partnerships and institutional commitments for young Africans.

Expected Outcomes

• A consolidated set of youth priorities and recommendations to inform discussions and commitments at CPHIA 2026
• Greater visibility for youth-led research, innovation, advocacy and public health solutions from across African Union Member States.
• Stronger networks and partnerships connecting young leaders with African public health institutions, researchers, policymakers, funders and implementers.
• Clearer pathways for young Africans to contribute to health workforce development, preparedness and response, innovation, local manufacturing and community leadership.
• Concrete opportunities to advance implementation of the YES!Health Strategy and sustain youth participation beyond the conference.

Five Africa Ready tracks

• Digital Health, Research and Innovation
• Building Africa’s Public Health Workforce
• One Health, Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Local Manufacturing and Health Sovereignty
• Youth Leadership on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV

See the Annex for detailed information on each track.

Why apply?

Selected participants will join a pan-African community of young people helping shape the next chapter of public health on the continent.

• Influence the youth priorities and recommendations that will feed into CPHIA 2026.
• Engage African public health leaders, policymakers, researchers, innovators and practitioners.
• Showcase your work, research, ideas or community experience.
• Build relationships with peers from across African Union Member States.
• Develop new knowledge and connections across YPC workshops, dialogues and interactive sessions.
• Participate in YPC 2026 and continue into CPHIA 2026 from 23-27 November 2026

Sponsorship: Sponsorship includes flight tickets, accommodation, meals, and CPHIA registration fee for selected young delegates.

Who should apply?

• Be 18-35 years old at the time of application.
• Be a citizen of an African Union Member State.
• Be enrolled in at least an undergraduate programme, or have relevant educational, professional or community experience in public health or related fields.
• Relevant fields may include public health, medicine, nursing, community or environmental health, research, digital health and technology, health policy, public service, development, communications and journalism, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, social sciences or other disciplines contributing to Africa’s health security and sovereignty.
• Demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to improving health, including through research, youth-led initiatives, advocacy, innovation, community engagement, professional practice or related activities.
• Be available to participate fully in YPC 2026 and CPHIA 2026.
• Be willing to contribute to peer exchange and the cultural life of the Youth Pre-Conference.

Important dates

Applications open : 31 August 2026

Application deadline : 13 September 2026, 17:00 EAT

Selected applicants contacted: 2 October 2026


Attendance confirmation deadline : 9 October 2026


YPC 2026 : 21-22 November 2026


CPHIA 2026 : 23-27 November 2026

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Complete the online application form by 13 September 2026 at 17:00 East Africa Time (EAT). Applications may be submitted in English or French.

Online application form Below

Please submit:

• A completed online application form.
• A curriculum vitae (CV), maximum two pages.
• Passport biodata page
• Any additional information requested in the application form.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY 

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