PPD ARO

Promoting South-South Cooperation in reproductive health, population and development

[Hon. Modou Lamin B. Bah @ModouLaminBBah2]

Big wins from Lusaka! I Led @ppd_aro in a power-packed meeting with @NEPAD_Agency at the Demographic Dividend and Reproductive Health conference. We’ve exchanged ideas and are gearing up to drive change in Africa's youth and Reproductive health development.

#Partnership🤝

[AUDA-NEPAD @NEPAD_Agency]

Day 1 Plenary proceedings.

Day 1 in Lusaka has established one non-negotiable: reproductive health is not a side agenda. It is the foundation of Africa's future. The 1st Continental Conference for Non-State Actors on Demographic Dividend and Reproductive Health continues tomorrow.

#LusakaConference2026 #RHCounts

#A2DSRH #LusakaConference2026 #DemographicDividend #RHCounts
#HCID #AUDANEPAD #AGENDA2063 @AUDA_NEPAD @_AfricanUnion @UNAIDS @UNFPA @MedRAP @mohzambia

[AUDA-NEPAD @NEPAD_Agency]

The 1st Continental Conference for Non-State Actors on the Demographic Dividend and Reproductive Health, currently taking place in Lusaka, has brought together over 200 delegates from across the continent—not just to convene, but to collaborate, co-create, and co-implement actionable commitments.

We are convening this conference in partnership with @MedRAP2022, UNAIDS, and the Government of Zambia. The conference represents a powerful multi-stakeholder commitment to advancing Africa’s development priorities.

This is more than a gathering. It is a solutions-driven platform that reflects a shifting mindset: Africa no longer treats reproductive health in isolation. Instead, it is being recognized as central to the continent’s development agenda and a critical lever for unlocking Africa’s demographic dividend.

A strong and consistent message from most speakers has been the critical role that non-state actors play in advancing both the demographic dividend and reproductive health outcomes. Their contributions—through innovation, advocacy, service delivery, and community engagement—are essential to driving sustainable impact across the continent. @etfeuropa @MedRAP2022 @Agenda2063N @Nyiko_Chulu @daphmuzawazi

[Hon. Modou Lamin B. Bah @ModouLaminBBah2]

Investing in Africa's youth is investing in its future! 🌟@ #LusakaConference, we're calling for prioritized reproductive health, empowerment of women & girls, and sustainable systems to unlock Africa's demographic dividend. Let's shape a prosperous Africa together! #AfricaYouth

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

@ppd_aro Regional Director Mr. Mugirwa Patrick, highlighting the Role of Parliamentarians in shaping the Demographic Dividend and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Africa. He further emphasized the need to build their capacity to transform evidence into Policy.

[AUDA-NEPAD @NEPAD_Agency]

We are convening Every voice, Every sector for One agenda.

Parliamentarians, researchers, youth advocates, and community leaders—this is what a continental coalition for advancing reproductive health looks like.
Grounded in communities. Driving change at scale. Meet the final group of our speakers.

#LusakaConference2026 #A2DSRH

The 1st Continental Conference for Non-State Actors on Demographic Dividend and Reproductive Health is not only an institutional gathering—it is a coalition of practitioners, advocates, and decision-makers working at the intersection of policy and people, grounded in the realities of the communities they serve.

The third group of opening ceremony leaders features a parliamentary health network chair, a university vice-chancellor, a tropical disease strategist, and a youth movement leader - voices that are both shaping policy and responding to lived realities on the ground.

📍 Lusaka | 8–10 April 2026

RH Counts: Invest. Act. Deliver.

@UNAIDS @UNFPA @_AfricanUnion @Yplus_Global @ThipeFaith @ModouLaminBBah2 @cidrzinfo

[AUDA-NEPAD @NEPAD_Agency]

Lusaka Speaks for Africa: A New Era for Non-State Actors

Today, the air in Lusaka carries a different weight—it carries the voice of a continent. The 1st Continental Conference for Non-State Actors on Demographic Dividend and Reproductive Health has officially opened, marking a historic shift in how Africa addresses its most pressing challenges. For too long, non-state actors have been viewed as peripheral figures in the grand halls of policy. But today, as our HCID Director Mr. Symerre Grey-Johnson (@SymerreGrey) so powerfully declared on behalf of our CEO H.E. Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas (@nardosbthomas), they are no longer just observers. They are the agenda.

The strength of Africa lies not just in its government offices, but in the tireless work of civil society, the moral leadership of faith communities, the vibrant energy of youth movements, the legislative oversight of parliamentarians, and the innovation of the private sector. These groups represent the “last mile”—the critical connection between high-level policy and the lived reality of millions. They provide an accountability layer that no government, no matter how well-intentioned, can replicate on its own.

This week in Lusaka is about more than just speeches; it is about a collective alignment of purpose. We are here to commit to a future where reproductive health and the demographic dividend are prioritized as the foundations of sustainable development. As we move forward, the mission is clear: Invest. Act. Deliver. Because when non-state actors lead, Africa delivers.

#A2DSRH #LusakaConference2026 #DemographicDividend #RHCounts
#HCID #AUDANEPAD #AGENDA2063 @UNZA_ZM @_AfricanUnion @UNAIDS @UNFPA @MedRAP

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

Today @ppd_aro joins @NEPAD_Agency and partners discussing strategies to enhance Africa's development through effective policies and frameworks.NEAPACOH Chairperson, Hon Modou Lamin, emphasizes need to collaborate and act boldly to build the Africa we want

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

The #17thNEAPACOHmeeting is officially open! Exciting 3 days ahead as we gather to deliberate on strategies towards achieving the #UHC #NEAPACOH2026 #UHC

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

Follow the conversations for the #17thNEAPACOHmeeting that has just kicked of today 25th February 2026 at Mulingushi International.Tje meeting is graciously hosted by the National Assembly of Zambia. https://t.co/41sQCDffK2

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

This year's NEAPACOH meeting is hosted by the National Assembly of Zambia at Mulingushi International Conference Centre,25-27 Feb/2026.The host country has created awareness through the Parliament TV.Follow the conversation https://t.co/QcfHWRyzsX

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

The long awaited event is finally here! Join @ppd_aro ,NEAPACOH Members and partners to #17thannualNEAPACOHmeeting as they deliberate on enhancing health systems for emergency response,Equity,Resilience and sustainability in the context of attaining #UHC

[SASA @SASAalliance]

@SASAalliance members @ppd_aro ,@JhpiegoKenya and @Pathfinder Nigeria convened in Lagos for a pause and reflection session and to prioritize strategies to kick off smoothly with annual interventions

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

@SASAalliance ; @ppd_aro ,@Pathfinder and @jhpiego live in Lagos,Nigeria for our pause and reflect workshop to align priorities and strategic direction

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

@ppd_aro was honored to host the @ppdsec Executive Director,Dr.Joseph Adelegan. Key strategic thrusts were discussed to further promote the path to South-South collaboration in the areas of RH, Population and Development

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

@ppdsec Executive Director prof.Joseph Adelegan today facilitated a high level ministerial Roundtable Advancing Sustainable Financing for Family Planning and Reproductive Health aiming at advancing progress to unlock #sustainablefinancing to support SRH #ICFP2025

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

PCC meeting has been convened to share the country’s progress and good practices on implementation of imperatives critical to accelerating achievement of #UHC. Ms.Thandeka Gumbeni, PCC South Africa noted that #investinginhealthisinvestinginstability

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

@ppd_aro and partners have today convened in Lilongwe for the Partner country Coordinators meeting from African Region PPD member Countries. The meeting has been officially opened by Mr. Adwel Zembere, Director of Planning, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Malawi.

[AFIDEP @Afidep]

The 15th #EARHN meeting opened today in Kigali, Rwanda, with calls to prioritise access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (#SRHR) across Eastern Africa region.

In her remarks, Dr @roseoronje of @Afidep emphasised the need for data and evidence to guide decision-making and investments in SRHR.  She highlighted the concerning decline in SRH funding and underscored the importance of #EARHN meetings, especially as countries seek to increase health budgets and improve spending efficiency.

She also highlighted @Afidep’s and @ppd_aro's work through the Advance Domestic Health Financing (#ADHF) project—contributing evidence to shape #UHC legislation in Kenya and supporting civil society organisations (CSOs) advocacy efforts for domestic health financing with a focus on primary healthcare and women's and girls' health.

The opening session also featured remarks from Patrick Mugirwa, Acting Regional Director at @ppd_aro; Symerre Grey-Johnson, Director of Human Capital and Institutional Development at @NEPAD_Agency; Dr Jotham Musinguzi, Former Chair of EARHN; and Dr Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of Uganda’s National Planning Authority.
#SRHR #HealthFinancing
@ppd_aro

[PPD ARO @ppd_aro]

BIG NEWS: Kicking off the Eastern Africa Reproductive Health Network (#EARHN) meeting! Excited to bring together experts, policymakers & stakeholders to shape the future of reproductive health in our region. Let's work together to make a difference! #ReproductiveHealth #EARHN