Applications are open for the Africa CDC Youth Pre‑Conference (YPC 2026), organisers have announced, with a submission deadline of 13 September 2026. The event will bring together young Africans to develop policy recommendations, showcase innovations and engage directly with public health decision‑makers ahead of the 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026).
Platform for youth to influence continental health policy
YPC 2026 is presented as an active working forum rather than a networking-only event. Over two days, participants will exchange ideas, present research and demonstrate youth‑led solutions aimed at informing the main CPHIA conference. The initiative aligns with the Africa CDC’s wider Health Security and Sovereignty agenda and supports the YES!Health Strategy for Youth Engagement and Participation in Global Health 2025–2028, according to the announcement reported by fundsforNGOs.
Organisers say the pre‑conference will help move the continent from health dependency towards greater ownership, resilience and self‑reliance by strengthening youth participation in health leadership, research and innovation.
Objectives and expected outcomes
The stated aims of YPC 2026 include bringing young Africans closer to decision‑making, surfacing African‑led research and building the next generation of the continent’s public health workforce. Importantly, the recommendations that emerge from the pre‑conference are intended to feed into deliberations at CPHIA 2026, giving youth a direct line into continental policy discussions.
- Exchange ideas and experiences: enable cross‑country dialogue among young health professionals.
- Showcase innovations: present youth‑led health solutions and technologies.
- Present research: offer a platform for relevant studies and evidence.
- Engage decision‑makers: create structured opportunities to interact with public health leaders.
- Produce recommendations: develop policy inputs to inform the main CPHIA conference.
The event builds on previous Youth Pre‑Conference editions held in Kigali and Lusaka, continuing a trajectory of formal youth engagement within continental public health fora.
Who should apply and why it matters for South Africa
The call is aimed at young Africans involved in health research, advocacy, service delivery, innovation and policy. For South African applicants, participation offers a chance to influence continental priorities that intersect with national challenges: health workforce development, epidemic preparedness, research capacity and local innovation adoption.
Embedding youth perspectives into CPHIA 2026 deliberations could strengthen policies that affect training pipelines, cross‑border surveillance, and the translation of community‑level innovations into national programmes. The Africa CDC frames the pre‑conference as part of a shift towards greater continental ownership of health systems and resources.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | 13 September 2026 |
| Purpose | Two‑day working platform to prepare youth recommendations for CPHIA 2026 |
| Strategic alignment | Africa CDC Health Security and Sovereignty; YES!Health Strategy 2025–2028 |
"The Youth Pre‑Conference is structured as a working platform rather than simply a networking event," the call for entries states, describing objectives that include strengthening youth leadership and translating strategy into concrete institutional commitments.
Applications are likely competitive and targeted at those who can contribute concrete proposals or evidence. The Africa CDC’s framing suggests organisers expect outputs that are implementable and relevant to continental decision‑makers.
Young health professionals considering an application should note that while such platforms can influence policy, they complement—not replace—clinical care and professional medical advice. Individuals with health concerns should consult a clinic or qualified practitioner rather than relying on conference materials or peer exchanges for diagnosis or treatment.
Interested applicants should consult the Africa CDC and CPHIA 2026 materials for full entry requirements and selection criteria, as set out in the public call reported by fundsforNGOs.
