CANMA / About
A shared commitment to better health across Africa.
Explore our purpose
Our continental community
Democratic Republic of Congo
Ethiopia
Gambia
Ghana
Kenya
Mozambique
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Somalia
Somaliland
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
About / In focus
Collaboration starts with listening. Our gatherings create space for national medical associations to exchange experience and discuss shared priorities.
View our gatheringsA common platform for national medical associations across Africa.
To be the leading voice for African physicians, advancing valuable policies and ethical standards that improve health outcomes for communities across Africa.
To unite, strengthen and empower National Medical Associations across Africa through collaboration, advocacy, capacity building, and the promotion of excellence in healthcare, medical ethics, professional leadership, and evidence-based health policy to improve the health and wellbeing of all Africans.
Official languages English · Kiswahili · Portuguese · French
Strengthen national medical associations by bringing them together to exchange experience and develop professional leadership.
Bring physicians’ perspectives into health policy discussions and promote the use of evidence in decision-making.
Promote ethical standards and excellence in healthcare as part of CANMA’s mission to improve health and wellbeing.
Our strategic direction
CANMA’s five adopted priorities guide our transition from coalition-building to a sustainable, accountable continental institution.
Build a stable, accountable institutional foundation.
Finalise the Constitution through member consultation and adoption, with clear responsibilities for leadership, membership, regional representation, the Secretariat and financial oversight.
A visible, connected continental platform.
Develop consistent communications, a coordinated digital presence, regular leadership updates and clear channels connecting the Secretariat, regional leaders and member associations. Strengthen protocols for media engagement and collective statements.
An active network in every region.
Map associations across the continent, activate regional participation and introduce structured onboarding. Support emerging and rebuilding associations through mentorship and practical institutional tools.
Resources that support professional independence.
Develop an equitable membership contribution model, transparent financial controls and a diversified three-year funding plan. Align grants, partnerships and programme funding with CANMA’s ethics, integrity and constitutional responsibilities.
Bring African medical perspectives into policy.
Develop evidence-based positions on shared priorities such as the health workforce, health financing, universal health coverage, regulation, health security and digital innovation. Pursue structured engagement with the African Union and Africa CDC, alongside coordinated participation through the WMA.
Leadership & continuity
Our direction includes sustained leadership development, mentorship between experienced and emerging NMA leaders, opportunities to contribute to working groups, and stronger succession planning and institutional memory.
A continental base
CANMA aims to establish a continental headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, subject to constitutional, legal and institutional processes. A phased Secretariat would support member relations, finance, policy, partnerships and communications.
