From cardiac care to continental strategy, Professor Mohamed Janabi is stepping into WHO Africa’s top job with one clear message: Africa’s health must be led by Africans, for Africans.
Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi of Tanzania has been nominated as the next Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region, with a bold vision to tackle the continent’s toughest health challenges by rallying unity, resilience, and strategic investment.
Speaking after his nomination during a Special Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Geneva, Professor Janabi pledged to lead with transparency and collaboration, underlining the urgent need to address deep-rooted health issues—from infectious and noncommunicable diseases to the growing impact of climate change on public health.
“We must move forward together, with the confidence that Africa has the capacity, the resilience, and the will to improve the health of its people,” Janabi said. “With your trust, I will work to strengthen health systems, prioritize equity, and ensure financing aligns with our shared ambitions.”
Janabi, a seasoned cardiologist and current Executive Director of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, emphasized the importance of reducing the continent’s dependence on external aid and strengthening domestic financing to ensure sustainability. He also called for collective action among African nations to address workforce shortages, improve access to care, and boost pandemic preparedness.
His nomination comes months after the sudden passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, who had been elected to the position in August 2024 but passed away before assuming office.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, welcomed the nomination, saying, “Professor Janabi brings years of leadership and medical expertise at a time when the WHO African Region needs strategic thinking and decisive action. I look forward to working with him to shape the next chapter for health in Africa.”
Pending formal appointment by the WHO Executive Board later this month, Janabi will begin a five-year term. Health leaders across the continent say they are optimistic that his hands-on experience in clinical care and institution-building will translate into practical, people-centered leadership.
“Professor Janabi understands the realities on the ground,” said Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director for WHO Africa. “His commitment to unity and sustainability is what the region needs now more than ever.”
If confirmed, Janabi will be tasked with steering Africa’s health agenda through a period marked by economic pressures, increasing disease burdens, and a push for more equitable access to innovations in healthcare.
But for Janabi, the roadmap is clear: “Together, we will build a healthier, stronger, and more united Africa.”