Inclusive Health Systems: Innovations towards Health Equity in Africa

Africa faces many barriers to creating inclusive health systems, which have been exacerbated by global climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

This white paper showcases actionable ways social innovation in health can address these barriers and promote health equity in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the result of a collaborative and multistakeholder approach driven by the World Economic Forum’s Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and the Bayer Foundation.

The paper uses a mixed-method approach, including an AI-driven analysis of over 1.9 million articles and posts, 35 interviews with health experts and three consultation workshops. The scope of the analysis includes 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The research aims to identify key actors and partnerships in the social economy and to provide insights into how governments can support social innovators and entrepreneurs in creating inclusive and sustainable health systems.