About Us

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has emerged as a central pillar of Africa’s health development agenda, reflecting the continent’s commitment to ensuring that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. In response to the growing demand for reliable, comparable, and actionable data to track progress toward UHC, the Africa Health Financing Forum (AHFF) has established the Africa UHC Observatory (AUHC-O). This initiative serves as a continental knowledge and accountability platform, designed to consolidate, verify, and disseminate high-quality data on UHC across African countries.

The AUHC-O is envisioned as a strategic instrument to support evidence-based policymaking, regional benchmarking, and cross-country learning. It provides a centralized repository of harmonized data on health service coverage, financial protection, health financing, and equity indicators. By doing so, the Observatory addresses a critical gap in the health policy landscape: the fragmentation and inconsistency of UHC-related data across national systems and international databases.

At its core, the AUHC-O is built on the principles of transparency, collaboration, and country ownership. It works closely with ministries of health, national statistical agencies, academic institutions, and development partners to validate and contextualize data. This participatory approach ensures that the information presented is not only technically sound but also politically credible and locally relevant. The Observatory also aligns with global monitoring frameworks, including the WHO/World Bank UHC monitoring indicators and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.8), while tailoring its metrics to reflect Africa’s unique health system realities.

In addition to data aggregation, the AUHC-O plays a catalytic role in strengthening national health information systems. Through technical assistance, capacity building, and peer learning, it supports countries in improving data quality, interoperability, and use. The Observatory also facilitates the development of country UHC profiles, policy briefs, and analytical reports that highlight progress, challenges, and opportunities for reform. These outputs are designed to inform national planning processes, donor engagement, and civil society advocacy.

The AUHC-O is not merely a data platform—it is a dynamic policy tool. It enables policymakers to identify gaps in service delivery and financial protection, assess the equity of health interventions, and evaluate the impact of health financing reforms. It also provides a space for dialogue and accountability, where governments can share experiences, compare performance, and commit to measurable improvements. By fostering a culture of data-driven governance, the Observatory contributes to building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable health systems across the continent.

As Africa accelerates its journey toward UHC, the AUHC-O stands as a beacon of innovation and collaboration. It reflects the continent’s resolve to move beyond rhetoric and toward measurable results. By anchoring UHC monitoring in African institutions and priorities, the Observatory ensures that progress is not only tracked—but owned, understood, and acted upon by those who need it most.

Vision, Mission, Objectives & Values

Vision

To be Africa’s leading platform for trusted, actionable, and country-owned data on Universal Health Coverage, driving equitable health systems and informed policy across the continent.

Mission

To generate, validate, and disseminate high-quality data on Universal Health Coverage across African countries, enabling evidence-based decision-making, regional benchmarking, and accountability for health equity and financial protection.

Objectives

  1. Strengthen UHC Data Systems Across Africa
    Support countries in building robust, interoperable health information systems that capture service coverage, financial protection, and equity indicators.
  2. Promote Evidence-Based Policymaking
    Provide policymakers, researchers, and civil society with reliable data and analytical tools to inform national health strategies and reforms.
  3. Facilitate Regional Benchmarking and Learning
    Enable cross-country comparisons and peer learning to accelerate progress toward UHC through shared experiences and innovations.
  4. Enhance Transparency and Accountability
    Ensure that UHC data is publicly accessible, regularly updated, and used to hold stakeholders accountable for health system performance.
  5. Build Capacity for Data Use and Quality Improvement
    Offer technical assistance, training, and resources to improve data quality, analysis, and use at national and subnational levels.

    6. Core Values

    1. Integrity:
      Upholding the highest standards of data accuracy, transparency, and ethical stewardship.
    2. Equity:
      Ensuring that UHC monitoring reflects the needs of marginalized and underserved populations.
    3. Collaboration:
      Working in partnership with governments, institutions, and communities to co-create solutions.
    4. Innovation:
      Leveraging technology and analytics to improve data collection, visualization, and use.
    5. Accountability:
      Promoting responsible governance and performance tracking through open access to verified data.