Africa is confronting a dramatic rise in diabetes cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Thursday as the world marked World Diabetes Day on November 14. According to new WHO estimates, 24 million Africans aged 20–79 currently live with diabetes, a figure expected to soar to 60 million by 2050 if urgent action is not taken. This makes diabetes one of the continent’s fastest-growing health threats. The WHO cautioned that the surge could overwhelm already strained health systems, with complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, limb damage, and early death becoming increasingly common.
Rising obesity, weak prevention fueling the crisis
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said the spike is driven largely by rising obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles, urbanization, and limited access to preventative care and early diagnosis. He urged governments to strengthen primary healthcare systems, ensure consistent access to treatment including insulin and screening tools and invest in public health campaigns promoting healthy diets and regular exercise.
Countries taking steps, but challenges remain
Some nations, including Ghana and Uganda, have begun integrating diabetes screening and treatment into primary healthcare services, but WHO says progress remains uneven and underfunded. Janabi stressed that without large-scale investment and policy action, diabetes will continue to grow unchecked, putting millions more lives at risk. Let me know if you want a meta description and slug for this story as well.
