AHF Pushes Health Sovereignty Agenda at World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 in Nairobi Amid Global Pandemic Talks

 By Gedion Nzyoki -

Delegates attending the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 pose for a group photo during the event. Photo: Courtesy.

• AHF is advocating for stronger health equity and pandemic preparedness at the Nairobi summit
• The group is calling for fair access to health technologies and benefit-sharing in global health agreements
• It warns that inequity could undermine future global pandemic responses

NAIROBI, KENYA | April 28, 2026 — The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has intensified its call for health sovereignty and equitable pandemic preparedness as global leaders gather in Nairobi for the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026.

AHF Kenya Country Director Samuel Kinyanjui delivers remarks during the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 in Nairobi. Photo: Courtesy.

The three-day summit, running from April 27 to 29 at the United Nations Office at Nairobi, has attracted more than 1,000 participants from governments, civil society, and international organizations under the theme “Reimagining Africa’s Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence.”

AHF is using the high-level platform to advocate for stronger global commitments to equity, accountability, and shared responsibility in pandemic preparedness, warning that without these principles, future health responses risk repeating past inequalities.

The discussions come at a critical moment for African health systems, many of which continue to face severe funding constraints. Average per capita health spending across the continent remains about $17—far below the estimated $60 required to deliver essential health services.

At the same time, parallel negotiations are underway in Geneva during the World Health Assembly, where countries are working to finalize the Pandemic Agreement and the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system. 

These frameworks are expected to shape global responses to future pandemics, including how pathogen data and resulting medical innovations are shared.

Speaking at the event, Samuel Kinyanjui, AHF Kenya Country Director, highlighted the disconnect between global decision-making and regional realities. He noted that discussions on pandemic preparedness are taking place simultaneously in different global forums addressing the same challenge. 

He further observed that while decisions on benefit-sharing from pathogen data are being made in Geneva, stakeholders in Nairobi are grappling with whether Africa will continue relying on external support or invest in building its own capacity to protect its populations.

“We are in two rooms at the same time, talking about the same problem. In Geneva, decisions are being made on sharing benefits from pathogen data, while in Nairobi the focus is on whether Africa will continue depending on others or build the capacity to protect its own people,” said Samuel Kinyanjui.

At the summit, AHF is positioning itself not only as a healthcare provider but also as a strong advocate for structural reform in global health systems. The organization is hosting an exhibition showcasing its HIV and public health programs, alongside a fireside discussion on pandemic preparedness and the PABS system.

Oluwakemi Gbadamosi, Deputy Executive Director of the AHF Global Public Health Institute, emphasized the need for enforceable agreements, noting that countries sharing pathogen data should be guaranteed equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments developed from that data.

“Countries that share pathogen data must be guaranteed access to the vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments developed from that data,” said Oluwakemi Gbadamosi.

AHF’s Core Demands for a Fair Global Health Order

AHF is calling for a more equitable and accountable global health system, urging the establishment of mandatory benefit-sharing mechanisms to ensure fair distribution of benefits derived from shared health data. 

The organization is also advocating for expanded technology transfer to strengthen local capacity in developing countries, alongside guaranteed equitable access to essential health technologies such as vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. 

In addition, AHF is pushing for stronger accountability and transparency frameworks to guide global health governance and ensure that all countries—particularly those contributing critical health data—receive fair and timely benefits from global health innovations.

Beyond the main sessions, AHF is participating in a mini-symposium hosted by the Health NGOs Network, where it is contributing civil society perspectives on innovation and health systems. 

The organization is also working with the Resilience Action Network Africa to convene a civil society caucus aimed at aligning advocacy strategies ahead of key global health decision-making forums.

Speaking during the event, Diana Tibesigwa underscored the importance of civil society engagement in shaping sustainable health solutions. She noted that civil society actors remain committed to collaborating with governments and development partners to advance inclusive and long-term health interventions that safeguard the health and dignity of all people.

AHF has raised concerns that geopolitical and economic interests could overshadow critical global health priorities if equity is not prioritized in ongoing negotiations. 

With discussions unfolding simultaneously in Nairobi and Geneva, the organization says this period represents a defining test of whether global leaders will uphold solidarity and commit to a fair and balanced global health system.