Burkina Faso hosts first national health financing forum to boost local funding

The inaugural edition of Burkina Faso’s National Health Financing Forum (FONAFIS) concluded on March 27 in Ouagadougou, following its launch two days prior by the country’s Prime Minister, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo.

a high-level platform for sustainable health financing in africa

This high-profile event convened policymakers, health experts—both local and international—and development partners (Partenaires techniques et financiers or PTFs) to tackle critical challenges in health financing across Africa. Central to the discussions were strategies to mobilize domestic resources and reduce reliance on external funding for public health initiatives. The forum also emphasized building resilient health systems capable of withstanding crises, a pressing need highlighted by recent global health challenges.

africa’s health funding gap: who’s at risk?

On the opening day, Mohamed Janabi, Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Africa, delivered a keynote address outlining the continent’s health financing landscape. He noted that a quarter of health expenditures in Africa still depend on external sources, leaving many nations vulnerable to funding shortfalls and economic instability. This dependency underscores the urgency of strengthening domestic health financing mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability.

Burkina Faso’s push for health sovereignty

Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo underscored the forum’s alignment with Burkina Faso’s broader national transformation agenda. Since launching the Popular Progressive Revolution (RPP) in September 2022, the government has prioritized health sovereignty as a cornerstone of its development strategy. Ouédraogo reaffirmed Burkina Faso’s commitment to financing its health system independently, reducing its dependence on foreign aid. This bold stance reflects a growing trend among African nations to reclaim control over critical sectors, ensuring autonomy and resilience in the face of global uncertainties.