Nairobi is set to take centre stage in global healthcare conversations as WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi (formerly Medic East Africa and Medlab East Africa) open next month at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The three-day event will unite policymakers, innovators, investors and clinicians to advance healthcare policy, technology transfer and professional development under the theme “Advancing Healthcare and Laboratory Innovation in East Africa.”
The event comes at a critical moment with Kenya’s population projected to surpass 63 million by 2030, fuelling rising demand for healthcare services. Yet, health workforce expansion growing at 3.4 percent annually continues to lag behind the 4.7 percent demand growth rate. Recent budget cuts of KSh 38.7 billion have further strained public health functions, posing a challenge to the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) commitments under Vision 2030.
Organisers say the solution lies in smarter workforce planning, innovative financing and public–private partnerships that can accelerate progress toward UHC.
“WHX Nairobi creates a platform where policymakers, investors, and innovators can come together to reimagine healthcare systems. By addressing financing, workforce development and digital innovation, we aim to catalyse scalable solutions that can be replicated across Africa,” said Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director at Informa Markets, the event’s organiser.
More than 200 exhibitors will showcase innovations in diagnostics, digital health and clinical technologies. Leading participants include Randox, Beckman Coulter, Radiometer, Snibe, Siemens Healthineers, Roche Kenya, Dedalus, Fujifilm and QIAGEN , underlining the event’s role as a hub for cross-border collaboration.
“As East Africa scales up molecular diagnostics and genomics, Snibe is committed to ensuring innovation is matched by accessibility. We are partnering with universities and local laboratories to provide both technology and training, ensuring affordability without compromising on performance,” Snibe said in a statement.
The event will feature over 65 international speakers and three CPD-accredited conferences focusing on health policy, primary care and digital health. Sessions will address sustainable financing models, public–private partnerships (PPPs) and AI-powered telemedicine solutions designed to expand access and improve efficiency.
Liberty Kituu, Senior Communication Manager, East Africa at WomenLift Health, highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership in health.
“Leadership and strategic financing are pivotal to achieving equitable healthcare. Our work shows that when women are equipped to lead, health systems become more inclusive, financing decisions more equitable, and primary healthcare delivers more resilience. WHX Nairobi creates a vital space to spotlight these leaders.”
Complementing WHX Nairobi, WHX Labs Nairobi will showcase laboratory innovations from molecular diagnostics and antimicrobial resistance strategies to AI-augmented systems and sustainable lab management. Experts including Prof Edward Kunonga (NEOM Health & Well-Being Authority), Caroline Mbindyo (Amref Health Africa), and Dr Shahin Sayed (Aga Khan University) will lead discussions on workforce development, digital adoption and diagnostics access.
Desta Lakew, Group Director of Partnerships & External Affairs at Amref Health Africa, stressed the significance of primary health care.
“Kenya’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage is grounded in Primary Health Care. The five transformative health laws passed in 2023 laid a strong foundation, ensuring equitable access, sustainable financing, interoperable digital systems and a people-centred, data-driven health system. My hope is that WHX Nairobi catalyses greater political goodwill and innovation toward scalable, people-first solutions.”
Backed by the Ministry of Health,Kenya Medical Association and Africa CDC, WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi are fully aligned with Vision 2030 and UHC 2030 goals. The event is also CPD-accredited by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians & Technologists Board, underlining its role in professional capacity building.
Organisers expect thousands of healthcare professionals to attend, reinforcing Nairobi’s status as East Africa’s healthcare innovation hub.
“By working in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Health, Africa CDC and global exhibitors, these events are not only defining East Africa’s healthcare future but also shaping conversations that will resonate across the continent,” Coleman added.
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