Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026: Applications Open for Young Africans Shaping the Future of Public Health
The Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026 is accepting applications from young Africans contributing to the continent's public health future. Organised by the Africa CDC, the event takes place immediately prior to the 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026).
Overview
The Africa Youth Pre-Conference (YPC) 2026 serves as a key platform for young Africans to connect with emerging leaders, policymakers, researchers, and public health institutions. The event focuses on moving health security and sovereignty discussions from ideas to practical action, aligning with the broader vision of building a capable health system across the continent.
Eligibility
The programme is designed for young Africans from across the Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western African regions who are active in shaping public health. Target participants include:
- Young health professionals and medical or public health students
- Researchers, scientists, and health innovators
- Entrepreneurs and digital health professionals
- Public health advocates, community leaders, and health communicators
- Individuals working in health security, emergency preparedness, and local health manufacturing
- Youth leaders and advocates focusing on sexual and reproductive health or HIV
Benefits
Selected participants can access several professional and leadership advantages:
- Networking opportunities to build cross-continental research collaborations and professional partnerships
- Exposure to high-level public health leadership and policy environments
- Increased visibility for youth-led research, innovation, and community solutions
- Leadership development through peer engagement and discussions on continental health priorities
- Contributions to youth recommendations feeding directly into CPHIA 2026
How to Apply
Applicants should review the five thematic tracks—Digital Health, Research and Innovation; Building Africa's Public Health Workforce; One Health, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Local Manufacturing and Health Sovereignty; and Youth Leadership on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV—to identify their best fit. Submissions should clearly demonstrate past contributions and future impact potential.
To submit an application, visit the official application portal.
Deadline
The supplied announcement does not state a specific application deadline in the visible call information. Prospective applicants should verify current submission timelines through the official channels.