From November 18th to 20th, 2025, Angola hosted an official visit from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sania Nishtar, aimed at deepening strategic cooperation with the Angolan government in the field of immunization.

The visit marked a key moment for high-level political dialogue, analysis of the National Immunization Program’s progress, and alignment of priorities for the next strategic cycle (2026-2030), in a context characterized by the need for sustainable financing and the strengthening of health systems.

During the mission, the delegation held meetings with Her Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Sílvia Lutucuta, the Secretary of State for Hospitals, and technical teams from the Ministry of Health. Discussions focused on cooperation within the framework of Strategic Period 6.0, with an emphasis on strengthening the National Immunization Program, promoting equity in vaccine access, and enhancing the resilience of the health system.

As part of coordination with the United Nations system, a meeting was held with the United Nations Resident Representative in Angola and members of the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the World Bank, to align approaches and strengthen strategic partnerships to maximize the impact of investments in immunization.

The agenda also included a meeting with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, who reaffirmed the high-level political commitment to immunization as a fundamental pillar of human development and social protection.

As part of the activities, a field visit was made to health facilities in the municipality of Viana, in Luanda, with the participation of the National Directorate of Public Health, the Provincial Directorate of Health of Luanda, WHO, and UNICEF. The initiative provided an opportunity to observe the provision of vaccination services, identify operational challenges, and gather direct evidence to inform strategic decisions.

The official visit culminated in a networking event that brought together members of the Executive, diplomatic representatives, United Nations agencies, the private sector, and leaders from the health and education sectors, strengthening dialogue and alliances around immunization.

Gavi’s visit to Angola reaffirmed the importance of national leadership, sustainable financing, and coordination among partners to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines. The World Health Organization, as a technical partner of the Government of Angola and a member of the Gavi Alliance, will continue to support national efforts to strengthen the National Immunization Program and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage.