According to the official WHO website, the World Health Organization (WHO), acting as host of the Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP) Secretariat, organized a technical workshop in Addis Ababa on 7 October 2025 focused on investing in primary health care (PHC) in Ethiopia.
Held alongside the 2nd International Conference on Primary Health Care, the workshop brought together Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia, and WHO staff from all three levels of the Organization. It represented a key milestone in Ethiopia’s ongoing effort to “re-envision” primary health care, a process led by the International Institute of Primary Health Care–Ethiopia (IIPHC–Ethiopia).
Participants discussed Ethiopia’s emerging PHC Investment Plan, designed to strengthen essential health services, upgrade infrastructure and ensure that health facilities are fully functional and able to deliver quality care for everyone. The group examined investment needs and possible financing mechanisms – including blended and concessional finance – to help accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.
The workshop built on earlier technical support provided to Ethiopia as a flagship pilot country under HIIP. This pilot illustrates how coordinated work between governments, development partners and investors can translate national health strategies into concrete, bankable investment projects.
Participants emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration between national institutions, WHO, EIB and the EU to align priorities, mobilize resources and create sustainable PHC investment models. Next steps include finalizing Ethiopia’s PHC Investment Plan, convening a PHC Investment Roundtable to attract more partners and investors, and moving from planning to implementation of specific projects.
WHO highlights this workshop as a strong example of country-led, partner-supported action under the Health Impact Investment Platform, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can help finance stronger health systems and support achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Health for All.