High-Level Side Event And Official Launch Of Carmma Plus Website On The Sideline Of The 39th Ordinary Session Of The African Union Summit

13 February 2026 13:00 – 16:00 EAT

What: High-Level Side Event on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit under the theme: “Strengthening Integrated WASH-RMNCAH Systems through Digital and Data-Driven Approaches to Advance the Maputo Plan of Action and CARMMA Plus.”

When: Friday, 13 February 2026, from 1300 hrs. to 1600 hrs. (EAT)

Where: Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: Organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) - Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development

Participants:

  1. Heads of State and Government
  2. Ministers of Health of AU Member States
  3. African Union Commission and Africa CDC
  4. Regional Economic Communities
  5. National Digital Health Agencies
  6. Development partners and donors
  7. Civil society organizations and NGOs
  8. Digital health innovators, private sector, and academia
  9. Regional and continental health experts

Background:
On the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit, the African Union Commission will convene a High-Level Side Event to spotlight the transformative role of digital health technologies in accelerating progress toward improved Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) outcomes in Africa.

Despite decades of investment and scientific progress, Africa continues to bear a disproportionate burden of global maternal and child mortality. In 2023, the continent recorded an estimated maternal mortality ratio of 442 deaths per 100,000 live births, accounting for nearly two-thirds of global maternal deaths. Neonatal mortality remains a critical challenge, with over one million preventable neonatal deaths occurring annually across Africa.

The event is convened within the framework of the African Union Theme of the Year 2026: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” It highlights how digital and data-driven solutions can strengthen integrated WASH-RMNCAH systems, improve service delivery, enhance real-time monitoring, and support accountability across the continuum of care.

The side event further aligns with the Maputo Plan of Action (2016-2030), the CARMMA Plus Campaign, and the African Union Digital Health Strategy 2024-2030, positioning digital health as a key enabler for resilient, people-centered, and equitable health systems.

A key highlight of the event will be the official launch of the CARMMA Plus Website, a continental digital hub designed to enhance visibility, coordination, and accountability in efforts to end preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths in Africa.

Register here