BACKGROUND & STRATEGIC CONTEXT
About the Summit
Despite medical advances and global developmental progress, Africa still faces a disproportionate burden of maternal and under-five mortality alongside preventable infectious diseases. While many of these deaths are avoidable through early detection and community-level intervention, the primary obstacle remains a systemic gap in community engagement.
The stakes have never been higher. Gains made over the past two decades are plateauing — and in some regions reversing. Preventable diseases remain among the leading causes of mortality, and the window to accelerate toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the Gates Foundation's 2045 horizon is narrowing.
Traditional and customary leaders remain among the most trusted, respected and enduring authorities across the African continent. Unlike elected officials, whose mandates are shaped by political cycles, these leaders provide continuity, legitimacy, and a sustained connection to communities over generations. As custodians of land, culture, and social norms, they shape behaviors, influence community priorities, and enable the adoption of innovations — particularly in maternal and child survival and the fight against preventable infectious diseases such as malaria.
"This summit seeks to engage traditional and customary leaders not symbolically, but as active partners in driving impact — strengthening trust, mobilizing communities, and reinforcing the link between national ambition and local reality."
Why Traditional Leaders Matter
- Social norms and household decision-making
- Community mobilization and accountability
- Trust-building and misinformation resilience
- Custodianship of community land, aspirations, and survival
- Policy and legislative influence, creating a through-line into national systems
PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES
The Summit Will...
Align leaders around the urgency and opportunities in maternal & child survival and major endemic preventable diseases like malaria
Identify the practical levers leaders can pull to accelerate progress
Examine why many existing health interventions fail to achieve optimal community ownership and sustainability
Strengthen community demand, trust, and accountability
Activate a credible, enduring coalition of traditional leaders
Explore the untapped potential of traditional governance systems in advancing public health outcomes
KEY FIGURES
The Event in Figures
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The Leadership Journey
Venue: Keystone Bistro, Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, Ground Floor — 6:30 PM
| Time | Session Details |
|---|---|
| 18:30–19:00 | Arrival & Reception — Informal welcome drinks and introductions |
| 19:00–19:10 | Welcome — Institute of African Royalty |
| 19:10–19:20 | Cultural Welcome — Ceremonial opening establishing dignity and shared African heritage |
| 19:20 | Dinner service begins |
| 19:20–19:25 | Royal Address — King Vulikhaya of South Africa (on behalf of the host country) |
| 19:25–19:30 | Royal Address — Prince Guduza Dlamini, Special Envoy of King Mswati III, Eswatini |
| 19:30–19:35 | HRH Sekhothali Seeiso, Queen of the Ndebele |
| 19:40–19:45 | Partner Welcome — Gates Foundation |
| 19:45–21:00 | Dialogue — Tables mixed by geography, gender, and generation. Prompt: "What is one barrier affecting mothers or children in your community that leadership can solve?" |
Venue: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Johannesburg Melrose Arch, 2nd Floor — from 9:00 AM
| Time | Session Details |
|---|---|
| 09:00–09:40 | Formal Opening & Framing — Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena (President, CONTRALESA) · King Elong Kotto (President, PACTCA, Cameroon) · Dr Joe Phaahla (Deputy Minister of Health, South Africa) · Paulin Basinga (Africa Director, Gates Foundation) |
| 09:40–10:45 | Session 1: Malaria — What is Stalling Progress? Testimonials, lived reality, community initiatives, leadership levers. Presenter: Vonai Teveredzi (Roll Back Malaria) |
| 10:45–10:55 | Break |
| 10:55–12:30 | Session 2: Maternal & Child Survival — What Must Change Now? Presenter: Professor Anne Kihara (former President, FIGO) |
| 12:30–14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00–17:30 | Breakout Working Sessions — 4 Groups drafting commitments: Group A (Malaria) · Group B (Malaria × MCS) · Group C (MCS) · Group D (MCS) |
| 17:15–17:30 | Wrap Up & Plenary Report-Back |
| 19:30 | Evening Dinner — Sebule Grill & Cellar, African Pride Melrose Arch, Ground Floor |
Venue: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Johannesburg Melrose Arch, 2nd Floor — 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
| Time | Session Details |
|---|---|
| 09:00–09:30 | Welcome & Objectives of the Day |
| 09:30–11:00 | Commitment Refinement Clinic — Leaders refine commitments with facilitators |
| 11:00–11:15 | Break |
| 11:15–12:30 | Presentation in Plenary — Leaders share commitments; peers witness and affirm |
| 12:30–14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00–14:30 | Final Review of Commitments and Outputs |
| 14:30–15:45 | Declaration & Signing Ceremony — Formal endorsement of the Leaders' Communiqué. Group photo. |
| 15:45–16:00 | Closing — Royal reflection. IAR Chair declares the Royal Summit closed. |
| 16:00 onward | Royal-curated program — bilaterals, peer learning, cultural exchange |
Venue: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Johannesburg Melrose Arch, 2nd Floor
| Time | Session Details |
|---|---|
| AM (TBC) | IAR Programming — Royal Champions network structure, peer mentorship model, continental advocacy strategy. Bilaterals as curated by Royal Delegates. |
| PM | Departures begin — late Wednesday or Thursday depending on flight availability |
ROYAL DELEGATES
Leaders Across the Continent
HM King G L T L Guidimandjegbe A Houssou
Benin
Princess Jessica Afouda
Benin
HRM Dicko Ousmane-Amirou
Burkina Faso
HM King Guide Bamba El Hadj Mohamed Sâanwi
Mali
Prince Théophile Tatsitsa Gha
Cameroon
HRM King Elong Kotto Pierre Patrick
Cameroon
HRM Robinson Tanyi Tambe Ayuk
Cameroon
HRM King Nabongo Peter Mumia II
Kenya
HRH Queen Lilian Mumia
Kenya
HRM Queen Diambi Kabatusuila
DRC
HE Sitan Foune Diakité
Mali
HRH Queen Essiguireuye Aguene Etame
Senegal
HRM King Torgbui Amenya Fiti V
GhanaChief Felix Kwasi Amweworkunu
Ghana
King Mahaman Kané Maiguizo
Niger
HRM King Dr Baridam Suanu Timothy Yormaadam
Nigeria
HRM Abel Curty Mosielele
Botswana
HRH Smogy Isaac Kaping'a
Zambia
Chief Fortune Charumbira
Zimbabwe
HRH Prince Guduza Dlamini
Eswatini
Hon S'khumbuzo Dlamini
Eswatini
King Omran Imbaiwa Aboubakakr Mohamed
Egypt
HRH King Paul Sande Etomeileng Emolot III
Uganda
HRH Drani Stephen Izakare
Uganda
Princesse Zoendreniny Elakovelo Etsiosa Tsimbazahane
Madagascar
Queen Bomboko Safi
DRC
Chief Steven Riek Deng Mout
South Sudan
King Makosonke Mabhena
South Africa
Chief Isack Ole Kisongo
Tanzania
Princess Celenhle Dlamini
South Africa
HM Queen Sekhothali Seeiso Mabhena
Lesotho
Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena
South Africa
Princess Mukelile Zulu
South Africa
Omar Ali Hanfare Hanfare
Ethiopia
King Ahlangene Sigcawu
South AfricaKgoshi Nkoane Malekane
South AfricaEXPERT ADVISERS
Expert Advisers
Professor Denis Zofou
Cameroon
Dr Amadou Baïlo Diallo
Senegal
Dr Isaac Zoumana Traore
Mali
Mr Brook Temesgen Tegegne
Ethiopia
Ms Patricia Kishemeire
Uganda
Ms Meseret Mulualem Anagaw
EthiopiaCONVENERS & PARTNERS
Co-hosts
Pan African Council of Traditional and Customary Authorities (PACTCA)
Institute of African Royalty (IAR)
Gates Foundation Team
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr. Paulin Basanga | Africa Director |
| Caty Fall | Director, Policy, Government Relations & Partnerships, Africa |
| Thoko Elphick-Pooley | Deputy Director, Policy and Advocacy, Africa |
| Sam Mulyanga | Senior Program Officer, Policy and Advocacy, Africa |
| Matshidiso Masire | Regional Representative, Southern Africa |
| Kgomotso Seko | Program Officer, Policy and Advocacy, Africa |
| Rufaro Samanga | ARO Associate Program Officer |
| Jamie Attard | Senior Manager, Strategy and Implementation Management |
| Aissatou Bah | Senior Program Officer, Africa – Gender Norms Learning Agenda |
Gates Foundation Partners
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Professor Anne Kihara | Former President of FIGO (Global Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) — Maternal & Child Survival |
| Dr. Vonai Teveredzi | Roll Back Malaria |
Workshop Facilitators
Rokhaya Ndiaye · Marjolaine Blanc · Fatou Diouf · Steve Kiskaye (AXUM)
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Outputs of the Summit
Leaders' Communiqué
A collective statement affirming commitment to maternal & child survival and malaria elimination, signed by all delegates.
Traditional Leaders Action Framework
A practical framework naming the specific leadership actions where traditional authority changes health outcomes, including policy dialogue mechanisms.
Royal Champions Platform
An enduring network and engagement roadmap sustaining momentum — a respected and influential network of traditional leaders championing maternal & child survival and malaria elimination across Africa through to the Foundation's 2045 horizon.