The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa has called for urgent and sustained investment in Africa’s nursing workforce, highlighting it as a critical pillar for building resilient and equitable health systems across the continent.
In a statement marking International Nurses Day 2025, the Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, commended the courage and commitment of nurses, who represent nearly 70% of Africa’s health workforce. He warned, however, that despite recent gains, the region still faces one of the lowest nurse-to-population ratios globally.
“The number of nurses in Africa has nearly doubled from 900,000 in 2018 to 1.7 million in 2023, increasing the ratio from 8.7 to 14.1 per 100,000 people. Yet, this remains more than tenfold lower than in high-income countries,” he stated.
Dr. Ihekweazu raised concern over an ongoing exodus of nurses from low-income to high-income countries, with 42% of nurses in Africa reportedly intending to emigrate. He also noted challenges such as limited career pathways, a persistent gender pay gap, and underemployment affecting nearly a third of health workers.
He called on African governments to build on the momentum of the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter endorsed in 2024, and to implement key recommendations, including expanding nursing education, improving working conditions, investing in leadership, and closing the gender pay gap.
“As we mark this day, let us move beyond words to action. Let us commit to building a future in which nurses are trained, protected, respected, and empowered to lead,” the statement concluded.
