African governments, health experts and development partners have renewed calls for urgent action to tackle teenage pregnancies, HIV infections among adolescents and school dropout rates, warning that these challenges continue to undermine the health and future prospects of millions of young people across the continent.
The call was made during the opening of the Adolescent Health Conference for Sub-Saharan African countries in Dar es Salaam on June 23, 2026, where participants gathered to discuss strategies for improving adolescent health outcomes and accelerating progress toward sustainable development goals.
Opening the conference, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Shekalaghe, described the meeting as a critical platform for exchanging experiences, strengthening research and promoting evidence-based solutions to some of the most pressing health challenges facing adolescents in Africa.
He said while countries in the region have made progress in expanding access to healthcare services, significant gaps remain in addressing issues such as teenage pregnancies, HIV transmission among young people and barriers that prevent adolescents from completing their education.
Dr Shekalaghe emphasized the need for stronger investments in adolescent mental health services, prevention of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections, improved nutrition and measures to combat gender-based violence and violence against children.
He noted that young people must be placed at the centre of policy formulation and programme implementation if interventions are to deliver lasting results.
According to him, sustainable progress depends on creating platforms where adolescents can actively contribute to identifying challenges and shaping solutions that directly affect their lives.
“Strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration and leadership is essential to mobilise resources and ensure that knowledge generated through research is translated into practical solutions that improve lives and can be scaled up across communities,” he said.
The conference comes at a time when many African countries are intensifying efforts to improve reproductive, maternal and adolescent health services amid growing concerns over the social and economic impact of poor health outcomes among young people.
Dr Shekalaghe also highlighted Tanzania’s growing role in advancing health initiatives on the continent, citing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s position as the African Union Champion for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health as well as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
He said the President’s international recognition through the Global Goalkeeper Award from the Gates Foundation underscores Tanzania’s commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and improving the well-being of its population.
Health experts attending the conference stressed that addressing adolescent health challenges requires coordinated action involving governments, schools, communities, civil society organisations and development partners.
They noted that investments in adolescent health not only improve individual well-being but also contribute to economic growth, social stability and human capital development.
Through the Ministry of Health and in partnership with development agencies, Tanzania continues to expand programmes aimed at improving the health and welfare of women, adolescents and young people, efforts that officials say are critical to securing healthier and more productive generations across Africa.
