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Brazzaville – The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns of a severe nursing shortage in Africa. Forty-two percent of the continent’s nurses intend to seek opportunities abroad. Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, shared this information on International Nurses Day. He emphasized the vital role of nurses. “Nurses represent nearly 70% of the health workforce and are the foundation of our health systems, essential every day and indispensable in times of crisis,” he stated. This intention to emigrate seriously threatens Africa’s healthcare stability.
Global Imbalances Worsen Africa’s Nurse Ratio
The nursing shortage in Africa faces is worsened by global healthcare resource imbalances. Dr. Ihekweazu noted that nearly 80% of global nurses serve only 49% of the world’s population, showing severe inequities. Africa’s nursing workforce increased from 900,000 in 2018 to 1.7 million in 2023. However, its nurse-to-population ratio is still very low, over ten times lower than in high-income countries. This disparity puts great pressure on African nurses. The continent has a ratio of 1.55 health workers (physicians, nurses, and midwives) per 1000 people, far below the WHO threshold of 4.45 needed for essential services.
“Our Nurses. Our Future.”: Investing to Retain Talent
The 2025 International Nurses Day theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Health Systems and Economies,” highlights the current crisis. It calls for strong support for nurses to build resilient health systems. WHO projects nurses will comprise 66% of Africa’s 6.1 million health worker shortfall by 2030. Addressing this nursing shortage in Africa is vital for universal health coverage and socio-economic development.
Several factors contribute to this planned emigration. High-income countries actively recruit nurses from lower-income nations. In Africa, 43% of nurses are under 35. Many young nurses lack mentorship and clear career paths. Limited budgets and a 43% health workforce financing gap in African countries cause unemployment or underemployment for nearly one-third of health workers, mainly nurses and midwives. Low pay and poor working conditions are also significant “push” factors.
Some African countries are taking action. Zimbabwe, for instance, has launched a new Investment Compact to strengthen its health workforce. Sustained efforts across Africa are needed to address the crisis and retain nurses.
By Abdullah Korede
