Ethiopia is set to host the fifth International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) in November 2026, a landmark event expected to draw over 30,000 in-person participants to the capital. The announcement follows high-level discussions between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Africa CDC officials cited Ethiopia’s robust infrastructure, hosting capacity, and historic hospitality as key factors in the selection. This return to Addis Ababa underscores the city’s growing reputation as a premier destination for global policy and diplomacy.
During a recent meeting, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, and Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to the event’s success.
Addis Ababa previously hosted the inaugural CPHIA in 2021, which focused on the systemic shortfalls exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the conference has evolved into the continent’s most significant platform for health security and scientific exchange, reinforcing Ethiopia’s position as a global policy hub.
The 2026 summit is expected to tackle a broad range of critical issues, moving beyond emergency response to long-term sustainability. Key themes will include accelerating Universal Health Coverage (UHC), scaling the local manufacturing of diagnostics and vaccines within Africa, and addressing the intersection of climate change and health—an agenda that aligns with Ethiopia’s upcoming hosting of COP32.
Additionally, the forum will explore digital innovation and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform disease surveillance and healthcare delivery across the continent.
With over 130 foreign embassies and the headquarters of the African Union (AU) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Addis Ababa is uniquely positioned to align scientific evidence with political will.
The 2026 conference will also benefit from a new strategic partnership between Africa CDC and global event organizers Informa Markets, aimed at professionalizing the summit and expanding its global reach. This collaboration ensures that CPHIA remains a long-term platform for continental health strategy and international engagement.
As Ethiopia prepares for this massive influx of delegates, officials emphasize that the city’s readiness—honed by hosting major events like the Second Africa Climate Summit—will ensure the 5th CPHIA serves as a permanent turning point for continental health. The sustained diplomatic activity and purpose-built infrastructure position Addis Ababa as a permanent hub for high-level global discussions. Further details on the conference program and specific dates are expected to be announced in the coming months.
