The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over the growing diabetes crisis in Africa, projecting that the number of adults living with the disease could reach 60 million by 2050 if urgent preventive actions are not taken.
Currently, over 24 million adults aged 20 to 79 in the WHO African Region are battling diabetes, according to the organization’s latest report.
In a message commemorating World Diabetes Day 2025, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, cautioned that the continent is facing an “unprecedented rise in diabetes” driven by lifestyle changes, poor nutrition, and limited access to preventive health care.
“Africa is facing an unprecedented rise in diabetes, driven by a complex interplay of changing lifestyles, rising overweight and obesity, and limited access to preventive and primary health services,” Janabi warned.
“Unless reversed, this trajectory will overwhelm health systems, strain economies, and erode hard-won development gains.”
WHO estimates that nearly half of Africans living with diabetes remain undiagnosed, leaving millions vulnerable to severe complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, and premature death.
The organization emphasized that diabetes affects all age groups, from children to the elderly, and requires lifelong care and support.
This year’s World Diabetes Day theme, “Diabetes Across Life Stages,” highlights the need for comprehensive care throughout a person’s lifespan, ensuring that prevention, early detection, and treatment are available at all levels of the health system.
WHO urged African governments to strengthen health systems to provide continuous and accessible diabetes care, from prevention to lifelong management.
“African countries must build resilient, well-resourced, and organized health systems that can deliver continuous care—from prevention and early diagnosis to effective treatment and long-term support,” Janabi said.
In 2024, African Member States endorsed the Framework for the Implementation of the Global Diabetes Compact in Africa, reaffirming their commitment to equitable diabetes care.
Countries such as Ghana and Uganda are already integrating diabetes and cardiovascular disease services into their primary health care systems, using WHO’s guidance.
WHO continues to support African nations through initiatives like the WHO PEN package, now active in 31 countries, and PEN-Plus, operational in 20 countries, which are helping expand access to affordable chronic disease care.
Janabi noted that sustained progress requires stable financing, reliable supply chains, stronger referral systems, and robust health data management.
“Our goal this year is to empower people living with diabetes to live well at every stage of life,” Janabi added.
