As the world marks International Nurses Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent and sustained investment in the nursing profession across Africa, warning that continued shortfalls threaten the continent’s health systems and economic resilience.
In a message to commemorate the day, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, hailed the “commitment, compassion and courage” of nurses, who make up nearly 70% of the continent’s health workforce.
“Nurses are the foundation of our health systems essential every day, and indispensable in times of crisis,” Dr. Ihekweazu said. “Supporting nurses is key to building resilient, equitable and thriving health systems.”
“This year’s theme, Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Health Systems and Economies, underscores the pivotal role nurses play in achieving universal health coverage and sustaining economic growth.
“The State of the World’s Nursing Report 2025 reveals mixed progress. While the global nursing workforce has grown to 29.8 million up from 28 million in 2018 serious disparities remain. Nearly 80% of the world’s nurses serve just 49% of the global population.
“In the African Region, the number of nurses has nearly doubled from 900,000 in 2018 to 1.7 million in 2023 improving the nurse-to-population ratio from 8.7 to 14.1 per 100,000. However, this remains among the lowest ratios globally.
“Despite the growth, nurses still account for 66% of the region’s projected shortfall of 6.1 million health workers by 2030,” Dr. Ihekweazu noted. “This limits access to essential services and slows our progress toward universal health coverage.”
He also raised concerns about youth retention and international migration. “While 43% of our nursing workforce is under the age of 35, many lack access to mentorship or career pathways,” he said. “Alarmingly, 42% of nurses in the region report an intention to emigrate.”
Compounding the issue are budgetary constraints. African nations, on average, face a 43% shortfall in health workforce financing. Nearly one in three health workers mostly nurses and midwives is either unemployed or underemployed.
Still, there are signs of progress. In May 2024, African leaders endorsed the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter, aimed at catalyzing long-term change. Countries like Zimbabwe are already taking steps, with a new Investment Compact expected to generate an additional US$166 million annually over the next three years.
To address the challenges, the 2025 WHO report calls for five key actions:
Expanding nursing education, including digital and clinical training
Strengthening regulation and introducing advanced practice roles
Improving working conditions and fair pay
Closing the gender pay gap, which remains at 7% despite women comprising 85% of nurses
Investing in nursing leadership, including empowered Government Chief Nursing Officers
“Nurses are more than caregivers. They are educators, innovators, and frontline responders, often working in the most remote and under-resourced areas,” Dr. Ihekweazu emphasized.
“As we mark this day, let us move beyond words to action. Let us commit to building a future in which nurses are trained, protected, respected, and empowered to lead.”