AfricaCDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026 for Young Africans (Fully Funded to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

Reach us on

Applications are open for AfricaCDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026. YPC 2026 will bring young Africans from across the continent together to help shape that future. Taking place immediately ahead of the 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026), YPC 2026 is the official youth platform for the conference. It will connect young health professionals, students, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, advocates, communicators and community leaders with one another and with Africa’s public health leadership.The 2026 edition is anchored in Africa CDC’s Health Security and Sovereignty agenda and the CPHIA 2026 ambition to move from health dependency and vulnerability towards ownership and resilience. The focus is practical: who will
lead, what Africa will build, and how young Africans can help turn health sovereignty into action.

YPC 2026 is designed as a working platform for young Africans who are already contributing to stronger health systems and want to influence what comes next. Over two days, participants will exchange ideas, showcase solutions, build relationships and develop priorities that can inform CPHIA 2026.

AfricaCDC Youth Pre-Conference Tracks

Digital Health, Research and Innovation
Building Africa’s Public Health Workforce
One Health, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Local Manufacturing and Health Sovereignty
Youth Leadership on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV

Benefits

Selected participants will join a pan-African community of young people helping shape the next chapter of public health on the continent.
Influence the youth priorities and recommendations that will feed into CPHIA 2026.
Engage African public health leaders, policymakers, researchers, innovators and practitioners.
Showcase your work, research, ideas or community experience.
Build relationships with peers from across African Union Member States.
Develop new knowledge and connections across YPC workshops, dialogues and interactive sessions.
Participate in YPC 2026 and continue into CPHIA 2026 from 23-27 November 2026
Sponsorship: Sponsorship includes flight tickets, accommodation, meals, and CPHIA registration fee for selected young delegates.

Eligible Criteria

Be 18-35 years old at the time of application.
Be a citizen of an African Union Member State.
Be enrolled in at least an undergraduate programme, or have relevant educational, professional or community experience in public health or related fields.
Relevant fields may include public health, medicine, nursing, community or environmental health, research, digital health and technology, health policy, public service, development, communications and journalism, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, social sciences or other disciplines contributing to Africa’s health security and sovereignty.
Demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to improving health, including through research, youth-led initiatives, advocacy, innovation, community engagement, professional practice or related activities.
Be available to participate fully in YPC 2026 and CPHIA 2026.
Be willing to contribute to peer exchange and the cultural life of the Youth PreConference.