The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), through its Youth Programme, has opened a call for applications for eligible young Africans to participate in the Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference (YPC 2026). The event will take place from 21 to 22 November 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, immediately before the 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026). YPC 2026 will serve as the official youth platform of CPHIA 2026, bringing together young people working and studying across Africa’s public health ecosystem. The initiative is designed to create opportunities for young Africans to connect with peers, engage with public health leaders and contribute ideas that can influence the continent’s health future. About the Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference The Youth Pre-Conference is designed for young Africans who are contributing to health and development through professional, academic, entrepreneurial, research, advocacy and community-based activities. It provides a platform for participants to exchange experiences, build networks and engage in discussions around Africa’s evolving public health priorities. The 2026 edition will bring together a diverse group of young health professionals, students, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, advocates, communicators and community leaders from across the continent. Through these interactions, participants will have an opportunity to engage with other emerging leaders as well as stakeholders involved in shaping Africa’s public health systems, policies and institutions. Theme and Focus of YPC 2026 YPC 2026 is aligned with Africa CDC’s Health Security and Sovereignty agenda and the broader ambitions of CPHIA 2026. The programme focuses on strengthening African ownership, resilience and leadership in public health. The initiative recognises that Africa’s future health systems will increasingly depend on the generation currently entering and leading hospitals, laboratories, universities, research programmes, businesses, government institutions and communities. The discussions will therefore focus on practical questions surrounding health sovereignty, including who will lead Africa’s health transformation, what the continent needs to build and how young Africans can contribute to turning health sovereignty into meaningful action. Who Can Apply? The call is intended for eligible young Africans with an interest or active involvement in public health and related fields. Potential participants may come from a broad range of backgrounds, including: Young health professionals University and other students Researchers and academics Public health innovators Entrepreneurs Health advocates Science and health communicators Community leaders The diversity of participants is intended to encourage cross-sector collaboration and ensure that youth perspectives from different areas of Africa’s health ecosystem are represented. Applicants should carefully review the official call for applications for the complete eligibility requirements, selection criteria, documentation requirements and other conditions before submitting their applications. Event Details The Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026 will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 21 and 22 November 2026. It will take place immediately ahead of CPHIA 2026, providing selected young Africans with an opportunity to participate in discussions connected to one of the continent’s major public health gatherings. The event is expected to provide a valuable environment for networking, knowledge exchange, leadership development and engagement around Africa’s health security and sovereignty priorities. Application Deadline The deadline for applications is 13 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline and ensure that all required information is accurately provided. Selected applicants will be contacted on 2 October 2026. Because the application period is limited, eligible young Africans interested in participating are encouraged to review the detailed call and complete the application process as early as possible. How to Apply Interested candidates should review the detailed Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026 call for applications before completing the application form. The detailed call contains additional information about eligibility, participation and the application process. Detailed Call for Applications: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hfme-zmBzTtdin6rRT0cVRcK13WXzwik/view?usp=sharing Applicants should use the official application process provided by Africa CDC and ensure that their submissions meet all stated requirements. Why Young Africans Should Participate YPC 2026 provides an opportunity for young Africans to move beyond discussions about the future of public health and become active contributors to its development. Participants will be able to connect with peers from across the continent while engaging with emerging ideas around health leadership, innovation, resilience and sovereignty. For young professionals, researchers, students, innovators and advocates, participation can also provide exposure to a wider public health network and opportunities to exchange perspectives with individuals working across different countries and sectors. The Youth Pre-Conference ultimately seeks to strengthen youth participation in Africa’s health agenda and support a generation capable of contributing to stronger, more resilient and more self-reliant health systems across the continent. Key Details Programme: Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference (YPC 2026) Organizer: Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Dates: 21–22 November 2026 Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Target group: Eligible young Africans Application deadline: 13 September 2026, 17:00 EAT Selection notification: 2 October 2026 Focus: Youth leadership, public health, health security and health sovereignty Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026 represents an opportunity for young Africans to connect, learn and contribute to conversations shaping the future of public health on the continent. 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