Africa Plans 3 million More Healthcare Workers by 2036

African health ministers have endorsed a continent-wide plan to educate, employ, and retain three million additional healthcare workers by 2036 under the Africa Health Workforce Agenda 2026–2035. The initiative responds to a major workforce shortage: Africa had about 5.72 million health workers in 2024, representing only 46% of its estimated need. Without intervention, the continent could face a six-million-worker deficit by 2035. The plan calls for stronger workforce planning, expanded quality education, job creation, and measures to retain skilled professionals where they are most needed. It also highlights a striking mismatch in African health systems: despite shortages, about one million trained health professionals remain unemployed. The WHO estimates that closing the gap requires an additional $4–$6 per healthcare worker annually. However, the organization projects that every dollar spent on healthcare could yield up to $30 in broader economic returns.