Africa’s nursing sector made solid strides in 2025. Major reports, conferences and policy moves put the profession in the spotlight. At the same time, ongoing challenges like strikes and shortages showed the work is far from done.
The year started with key global recognition. The World Health Organization launched its State of the World’s Nursing report on 12 May 2025. The document called for better investment in Africa’s nursing workforce to meet health goals. It stressed the need for improved training and retention across the continent.
International Nurses Day on 12 May 2025 used the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses strengthens economies.” Events in South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana highlighted nurses’ role in economic growth. The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) hosted provincial celebrations. They focused on support for nurses facing workforce shortages.
Nigeria saw several big developments. The country launched its National Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2025-2030 in Abuja. The plan aims at better education, leadership and service delivery to reach universal health coverage. The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria released results for the March 2025 midwifery exams. Successful candidates were congratulated in March.
The Oncology Nursing Society of Nigeria held its first national conference from 16 to 18 December 2025. It offered three continuing education unit points. Akwa Ibom opened its first private College of Nursing Sciences. Admission for the 2025/2026 session began in September.
In Ghana, the government cut tuition fees for nursing and allied health students by 50 %. The reduction took effect for the 2025/2026 academic year. Ghanaian oncology nurse Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti won the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. She was recognised for her work in cancer care and nurse training in May. The 2025 mid-year budget review promised prompt monthly allowances for nursing trainees from July. Ghana hosted the Senior Nursing & Midwifery Managers Conference in 2025. The event covered leadership and innovation in healthcare.
South Africa was active with events. The Nursing Practice 2025 conference brought professionals together. Suzette Ferreira, author of Health Information Systems in Nursing, spoke at Women in Tech South Africa on 6 March 2025. She also addressed the Nurses Visions Hold Power Summit on 29 March 2025. Multiple nursing conferences happened in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. They focused on leadership, management and advances in nursing science.
Kenya faced some setbacks. The government revoked internships for hundreds of nurses in the 2025/2026 cohort in October due to an ongoing audit. East Africa held conferences calling for better nursing standards.
The Nigerian Nurses in the United Kingdom (NNCAUK) hosted its annual conference in 2025. It connected diaspora nurses to discuss contributions back home. The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing ran the 2025 Global Nursing Research Virtual Conference. African nurses shared local research on maternal health and infection control.
Strikes and labour disputes marked the year in some countries. They highlighted persistent issues with pay and conditions.
Overall, 2025 brought more visibility to African nursing through global reports and local events. Nurses gained recognition for their part in economies and health systems. But shortages remain high. Many countries still have fewer than 10 nurses per 10,000 people.
Experts say 2025 laid groundwork for change, but real progress needs funding. Opinions from leaders suggest the year showed promise in policy and education, yet failure to address pay and retention could slow momentum.
For 2026, expectations include stronger implementation of WHO recommendations. More investment in training could help close gaps. Diaspora collaborations may grow. Policy reforms in pay and conditions could reduce strikes. The year ahead holds promise if leaders act on 2025’s lessons.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing. We educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
