Deadline: September 13, 2026
Applications are open for the Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026. Africa’s public health future will be shaped by the generation now entering and leading its health systems, institutions, laboratories, research programmes, businesses, communities and policy spaces. 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.
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
Eligibility
- 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 Pre Conference.
Application
Complete the online application form by 13 September 2026 at 17:00 East Africa Time (EAT). Applications may be submitted in English or French.
You need to submit:
- A completed online application form.
- A curriculum vitae (CV), maximum two pages.
- Passport biodata page
- Any additional information requested in the application form.
For more information, visit Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference.
