Africa CDC Opens Door To Young Digital Health Trailblazers

Africa CDC has launched its Youth Digital Health Champions (Y-DHC) initiative, calling on Africa’s innovation-minded professionals aged 18–35—as well as their peers in the diaspora—to shape the continent’s growing digital health ecosystem

Born from the Youth in Digital Health Network (YiDHN), the Y-DHC programme seeks dynamic young leaders to become role models, advocates, and connectors in a growing digital health landscape.

With an eye toward health equity and universal healthcare, Africa CDC is leveraging the fresh perspectives of its youngest experts to inform policy, drive innovation and strengthen local ecosystems.

Who Qualifies?

Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old and be citizens of a member state of the African Union (Africans in the diaspora are also eligible to participate).

Fluency in at least one of the AU’s working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese) is essential, and cross-lingual participation is a bonus. Candidates must be actively engaged in digital health innovations, research, public health programming, advocacy, capacity building, or related areas.

Selection Will Hinge On:

• Leadership & initiative (45%) — demonstrated through digital health projects or advocacy efforts;
• Impact & innovation (25%) — tangible results or creative solutions tailored to local needs;
• Motivation & Potential (30%) — readiness to participate in webinars, policy dialogues and YiDHN events.

Perks For The Chosen Champions:

• High-visibility profiles on Africa CDC and YiDHN channels
• Invitations to policy forums and Africa HealthTech Summit #AHTS2025
• Access to peer networks and cross-continental collaboration
• Priority seats in capacity-building sessions and policy roundtables
• Support for innovation scale-up, including seed funding, mentorship, fellowships, and accelerator opportunities.

What’s Next?

• Opening date: 29 August 2025
• Deadline: 14 September 2025 at 23:00 GMT+3
• Champion announcements are expected around 20 September 2025.

This initiative signals a shifting paradigm: young, digitally savvy Africans are no longer just participants but architects of the continent’s healthcare ecosystem.

For healthcare professionals watching the pulse of innovation—this is a moment to listen, engage, and maybe even apply.

Apply Here!