The World Health Organization (WHO), as host of the Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP) Secretariat, facilitated on 7 October 2025 a successful technical workshop in Addis Ababa, focused on investing in primary health care (PHC) in Ethiopia.
Organized alongside the 2nd International Conference on Primary Health Care, the workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia, and WHO colleagues from all three levels of the Organization. The workshop marked a key milestone in advancing Ethiopia’s ongoing PHC re-envisioning exercise, led by the International Institute of Primary Health Care (IIPHC–Ethiopia).
Discussions centred on Ethiopia’s emerging PHC Investment Plan, which aims to strengthen essential services, modernize infrastructure, and ensure health facilities are fully functional to deliver quality care for all. Participants explored investment needs and potential financing sources – including blended and concessional finance – to help accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.
This workshop built upon the technical assistance provided to Ethiopia as a flagship pilot county under the HIIP. The Ethiopia pilot illustrates how coordinated efforts between governments, development partners, and investors can translate national health strategies into bankable investment projects.
Participants underscored the importance of continued collaboration among national institutions, WHO, EIB, and the EU to align priorities, mobilize resources, and develop sustainable investment models for PHC.
As a next step, partners will continue working together to finalize Ethiopia’s PHC Investment Plan, organize a PHC Investment Roundtable to engage additional partners and investors, and move from investment planning to concrete project implementation.
This workshop is a strong example of country-led, partner-supported collaboration under the Health Impact Investment Platform, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can contribute to the financing of health systems and towards achieving SDG 3: Health for All.