Who: African Development Bank Group

What: Annual Meetings Knowledge Event: Building Africa's Healthcare Defense System

Where: Online via live streaming

When: Friday, 25 June 2021, 11.00-13:00 GMT

A panel discussion on Building Africa's Healthcare Defense System will take place virtually on Friday, 25 June 2021, as part of the African Development Bank's 2021 Annual Meetings.

Africa's infrastructure lags behind that of other regions in terms of quantity, affordability and quality, with an estimated infrastructure funding gap of between $68 billion and $108 billion per year. While investments are needed in all infrastructure sub-sectors (power, water, transport, or ICT), the Covid-19 crisis has shown the need to build a vibrant health system across Africa to prepare for future shocks.

This session will explore how the crisis presents a real opportunity to revitalize the African pharmaceutical industry and increase the continent's health sovereignty.

Panelists will discuss healthcare infrastructure and local pharmaceutical production issues, including priority investments, public-private partnerships, health infrastructure financing and how Africa can prepare for future health pandemics.

2021 Annual Meetings - A Call for Bold Domestic Reforms

African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina said: "The deep scars left by the Covid-19 pandemic (in Africa) will take time to heal." As a result of the pandemic, the continent's GDP fell by 2.1% in 2020 and poverty and inequality are increasing. At least 30 million Africans fell into extreme poverty in 2020 and another 39 million could follow in poverty in 2021. The debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to increase by 10-15 percentage points in 2021 and debt is a pervasive concern.

Confirmed speakers include:

Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President, African Development Bank Group

Mr. Kenneth Ofori-Atta, Ghanaian Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Chair, Boards of Governors, African Development Bank

Mr. Amadou Hott, Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation, Senegal

Mr. Ali Kooli, Minister of Economy, Finance and Investment Support, Tunisia

Mr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Rwanda

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director for Africa, WHO

Dr. Jim Yong Kim, Vice Chairman & Partner, Global Infrastructure Partners

Dr. Soonman Kwon, President, Korea Health Industry Development Institute

Mr. James P. Scriven, CEO, IDB Invest

Journalists interested in covering the event should register here.

Media contact: Grace Kiire | Communication and External Relations Department | African Development Bank | Tel: +225 0575753398 | Email: g.kiire@afdb.org