The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) has commended Ethiopia for its leading role in advancing population health across Africa. This statement came during a meeting on the sidelines of the World Bank and IMF annual meetings.
Addis Ababa, October 19, 2025 – Ethiopia's Finance Minister Ahmed Shide held discussions with Gavi CEO Sania Nishtar on health sector collaboration. The meeting occurred on the margins of the World Bank and IMF annual assemblies, centering on Ethiopia's health infrastructure growth and poverty alleviation efforts.
The minister emphasized that Ethiopia's health strategy primarily targets poverty reduction, with extensive initiatives underway to bolster the sector's workforce. He noted recent successful endeavors, particularly in making vaccinations accessible to children. Gavi, in turn, expressed support for initiatives aimed at strengthening Ethiopia's health system.
Sania Nishtar highlighted Ethiopia's pivotal role, including its function as a hub for disease prevention and control in Africa, and its contributions to enhancing population health services continent-wide. Ethiopia has recently attained the World Health Organization's Maturity Level 3 certification in medicine regulation. Both parties agreed to work together on financing options to sustainably reinforce the health system, including sharing sector achievements.