Speak Up Africa Showcases African Excellence: Four Solutions to Accelerate Health Sovereignty

Dakar, October 30, 2025 – Speak Up Africa Day, the flagship event of the Dakar-based organization, celebrated African leadership, the promotion of local solutions, and the advancement of collective action for health and sustainable development. Bringing together governments, civil society, the private sector, media, and youth, the event highlighted African successes, strengthened inclusive coalitions, and amplified underrepresented voices to ensure that policies and programs truly reflect the needs of communities. Launched in 2024 with more than 40 partner organizations, the 2025 edition transformed dialogue into concrete action, mobilizing resources and partnerships to accelerate progress across the continent.

Activities began on October 26 with a youth-focused sports activation organized in collaboration with the Basketball Africa League (BAL) to promote health, gender equality, and inclusion. A 3×3 basketball tournament, an inclusive match with Special Olympics Senegal athletes, and an artistic performance marked the opening, illustrating the commitment of young Africans to building a healthier and more equitable continent.

At the heart of Speak Up Africa Day 2025, the “Solution Labs” served as interactive, action-oriented sessions bringing together policymakers, parliamentarians, community leaders, women- and youth-led organizations, civil society, the private sector, and media to co-create concrete solutions to Africa’s most pressing health and development challenges. Each Lab focused on a key theme: developing African leadership and the pharmaceutical industry; harnessing storytelling and feminist networks to drive transformative movements; shaping public narratives through media to strengthen accountability and systemic change; and mobilizing parliamentarians for sustainable health financing. The recommendations emerging from the Labs were presented during the closing plenary, “The Four Big Solutions” turning ideas into tangible actions for the continent.

Within this framework, the Voix EssentiELLES initiative, now entering its second phase (2024–2027), continued to amplify women’s voices and promote inclusive governance mechanisms, notably through the launch of the second cohort of its mentorship program and the sharing of innovative advocacy strategies for inclusive and sustainable policymaking.

On the second day, parliamentarians from four Francophone African countries officially launched the Regional Network of Parliamentary Champions for Health and Sustainable Development to strengthen political commitment and ensure sustainable financing to close the funding gaps in national health programs.

“As representatives of the people, we have a responsibility to place health at the heart of our priorities. We are therefore delighted to have worked together to adopt a common and regional roadmap that will enable us to advocate for inclusive policies and mobilize sustainable resources to protect our populations and ensure a healthier future for Africans,” declared Hon. KOUAKOU Dapa Yao Kossonou Marcellin, Member of Parliament of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and Coordinator of the Regional Network of Parliamentary Champions for Health and Sustainable Development.

Speak Up Africa Day concluded with the Speak Up Africa Leadership Award Ceremony, which since 2019 has honored individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional leadership in promoting sustainable development across Africa. Held on October 28 in Dakar, the ceremony gathered around one hundred guests to celebrate distinguished African and international leaders, including Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, former WHO Regional Director for Africa; Dr. Ibrahima Sy, Minister of Health and Social Action of Senegal; Dr. Raymonde Goudou-Coffie, Minister Governor of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; Allison Feaster, Vice President of Team Operations and Organizational Growth for the NBA’s Boston Celtics; Bamba Youssouf, President of REMAPSEN; and Yvette Sessi Alavo, President of the organization Icône 360 and a Voix EssentiELLES advocate from Benin.

“I am deeply honored to be part of the Voix EssentiELLES initiative and to be recognized by Speak Up Africa. I firmly believe that including women in decision-making processes is crucial — their participation strengthens governance, multiplies the impact of health and development policies, and accelerates the achievement of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals,” said Yvette Sessi Alavo while receiving her award.

In the same spirit, during her acceptance speech, Dr. Raymonde Goudou-Coffie emphasized the importance of intergenerational dialogue and the inspiring role of Africa’s youth in transforming the continent: “It is with humility that I receive this Leadership Award dedicate it to the African youth who dare to question, innovate, and transform. Their energy is our driving force, their science is our future, and their commitment embodies true African leadership, one that inspires, acts, and builds. These intergenerational dialogues, promoted by Speak Up Africa, between experience that guides and youth that propels, are essential to building a sovereign and resilient Africa. I warmly thank this organization for this recognition and for its unwavering commitment to amplifying African voices. Together, we share the same conviction: Africa already holds within itself the solutions to its challenges.”

Concluding the ceremony, Yacine Djibo, Executive Director and Founder of Speak Up Africa, reaffirmed the organization’s mission and vision: “Speak Up Africa Day and the Leadership Awards demonstrate that African leadership, collective action, and the inclusion of underrepresented voices can turn challenges into opportunities. It is a true honor for our organization to collaborate with such African excellence and help amplify it. We are proud to celebrate these achievements, strengthen coalitions, and inspire concrete solutions for a healthier, fairer, and more resilient continent.”