East Africa Health Federations Conference, Int'l Exhibition to Take Place in Addis Ababa This Week

Addis Ababa, August 18, 2026 (ENA) — The 13th East Africa Health Federations Conference and International Exhibition, which is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa from August 21 to 23, is aimed at strengthening the region’s health economy by expanding local production, mobilizing private investment and boosting regional trade in medicines and medical supplies.

The Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Healthcare Professionals Federation announced today that the conference will bring together more than 2,000 health-sector leaders, professionals and researchers from more than 20 countries.

Also, more than 30 local and international exhibitors are also expected to participate in the exhibition.

To be held under the theme “Resilience: Building the East African Health Economy”, the conference will focus on strengthening local pharmaceutical and medical equipment production to reduce the region’s dependence on imports, it was learned.

Health State Minister Frehiwot Abebe said during the announcement that the gathering will also explore mechanisms for mobilizing private capital and establishing sustainable financing models to support the development of the health sector.

Participants are expected to discuss ways of leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to strengthen health-related value chains, expand regional markets and facilitate cross-border trade in medicines and medical products.

In addition, the conference will provide a platform to examine the role of technology and innovation in building a more resilient and competitive health economy in East Africa.

Policy discussions, business engagements and potential investment agreements are expected to form part of the three-day event.

The organizers said strengthening local production and regional trade could help East African countries improve the resilience of their health systems while creating new opportunities for investment, manufacturing, employment and economic growth.

The Addis Ababa conference is expected to bring together governments, private-sector actors, health professionals, researchers and other stakeholders to explore ways of increasing the region’s capacity to produce essential health products and retain greater economic value within East Africa.