The African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), in collaboration with Youth Hub Africa and with funding support from the German development agency, GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), has officially launched the Bingwa PLUS Y-Health Incubation Programme. This new initiative is designed to empower young Africans across the continent to tackle urgent public health issues by creating community-led, innovative solutions.
The programme is a continuation and upgrade of the earlier Bingwa initiative, which was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to engage youth in vaccination advocacy. With Bingwa PLUS, the focus has shifted to other health areas that continue to affect Africans, including mental health, digital health innovations, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and Mpox prevention. The vision is to support the next generation of African health champions through training, mentorship, and financial assistance.
Speaking at the recent Pitching Day event held in Abuja, Nigeria, Dr. Chrys Kaniki, the Senior Technical Officer for Strategic Programmes and Youth Division Lead at Africa CDC, said the new programme reflects the importance of including young voices in shaping public health solutions. According to him, young Africans are closest to the challenges affecting their communities and should also be at the centre of finding the solutions.
He said, “This programme is a platform for young people to design public health innovations tailored to their realities. We are not just asking for ideas; we are building their capacity to drive impact where it matters most – in the communities.”
Dr. Kaniki also stressed the importance of sustainability and community ownership in the implementation of health projects by the youth, describing Bingwa PLUS as a leadership tool to prepare young people for future health emergencies.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Youth Hub Africa, Mr. Rotimi Olawale, shared insights into the programme’s outreach so far. According to him, the call for applications attracted over 2,000 submissions from young innovators across 40 African countries. Out of this, 30 young professionals were selected to take part in the incubation phase, where they were supported to refine and pitch their health-focused ideas.
“We are happy with the level of interest and creativity these young people have shown. From using mobile technology to address mental health issues to innovative methods for NCD screening in rural areas, these ideas have the potential to change lives,” Olawale said.
He also added that selected participants received grants to implement their projects and were encouraged to explore partnerships with civil society groups, development partners, and African governments to scale their innovations.
Metasebiya Mamo, Youth Engagement Advisor at GIZ under the African Union portfolio, also lent her voice at the event, noting that while capacity-building is essential, what young people really need is funding to move their ideas from paper to practice.
“In our interaction with youth, it’s clear they don’t just want to be trained. They want real support to build solutions. This programme is proof that if we invest in their ideas, they can deliver results,” she said.
The Bingwa PLUS Y-Health Incubation Programme stands as part of Africa CDC’s broader youth engagement strategy, which aims to strengthen the continent’s ability to prepare for and respond to health emergencies through youth-led approaches. By providing platforms, funding, and networks, the programme hopes to create sustainable change and inspire a culture of innovation.
Already, the early-stage projects from the programme are being recognised as models that can be replicated in other parts of Africa. Health officials say the programme also hopes to influence policy by showcasing practical, community-tested health solutions.
Young innovators who want to join future cycles of the programme or learn more can visit the official Africa CDC website at africacdc.org or explore opportunities on opportunities.youthhubafrica.org. There, interested youth can also find announcements on future application rounds, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.
This youth-led health intervention reflects a new direction in Africa’s public health strategy — one where innovation, youth leadership, and community action go hand in hand. As more success stories emerge from Bingwa PLUS, it may signal a future where health resilience in Africa is driven not just from the top down but from within communities themselves.
