In Sub-Saharan Africa, healthcare systems are continuously evolving to meet the needs of the population. Despite facing challenges in some areas such as a shortage of trained healthcare professionals and limited medical infrastructure, there are significant strides being made to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Members of the African diaspora in Germany are playing a crucial role in these efforts, contributing their expertise and resources to build more resilient health systems across the region.  

While their approaches differ, their goal is the same: to make quality healthcare accessible to all. The following examples show how expertise from the diaspora is strengthening medical systems in Ghana, Cameroon and Ethiopia. 

In Ghana, Rostock-based surgeon Dr Kwaku Danso Agyei supported St Luke Catholic Hospital in 2024, with assistance from GIZ’s diaspora expert offer. With just one doctor for every 400 patients, infection rates after surgery were high. During his three-month assignment, Dr Danso introduced new hygiene and sterilisation protocols and secured funding for essential equipment. Since then, no serious post-operative infections have been recorded. He also trained 20 local doctors and assistants in infection prevention, ensuring the improvements continue beyond his stay. 

In Cameroon, the diaspora organisation Camfomedics e.V. has been strengthening medical training since 1994 through programmes in emergency care, infection management, and maternal and neonatal health. By integrating simulation technology and peer-to-peer learning, the organisation helps reduce the skills gap in underserved rural regions. As Dr Bernice Ndofor, President of Camfomedics, notes, shared expertise is central to their impact: “What motivates me about being part of Camfomedics is the access to a wide network of dedicated Cameroonians, where we can all learn from one another’s diverse experiences.” GIZ has been supporting Camfomedics through small-scale projects, several expert missions and event funding. 

Also in Cameroon, Mapubi e.V. is strengthening healthcare delivery through the Smart Mobile Clinic, a digital platform that connects health workers across urban and rural areas. The initiative is helping medical teams respond more effectively to patient needs by improving coordination, speeding up information flows and enabling real-time decision-making. Recent upgrades to the platform, supported by GIZ in 2024, have further expanded its reach and reliability. These advances are already making a difference: in the Southwest Region, a timely alert sent via the app during a childbirth complication enabled health workers to mobilise support quickly and help save a life. 

Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, Doctors for Ethiopia (Ärzte für Äthiopien e.V.) is improving access to specialised treatment at Yirgalem General Hospital. In a recent project, the organisation established the region’s first dialysis unit, trained specialist staff and organised exchange visits between Ethiopian and German professionals.

In Ghana, diaspora entrepreneur Gloria Ada Niquaye, founder of COMESO, is making healthcare more transparent and accessible. Her platform uses a digital voucher system that allows families in the European diaspora to directly fund medical care for relatives in Ghana. By partnering with trusted clinics, COMESO ensures that remittances are used for treatment rather than lost to intermediaries. Supported through GIZ´s Business Ideas for Development (BID) offer, the start-up combines digital innovation with social impact. 

All these initiatives go beyond improving health systems, they demonstrate how cooperation between diaspora professionals and local partners leads to lasting systemic change. In Ghana, infection rates at St Luke Hospital have fallen to zero and COMESO’s voucher system gives families reliable access to healthcare; in Cameroon, doctors and medical students are gaining hands-on experience through modern simulation tools; and in Ethiopia, patients now have access to dialysis for the first time in Yirgalem. 

Would you like to use your expertise to make a difference? GIZ offers a range of opportunities for diaspora experts, organisations and entrepreneurs to get involved. Applications are now open for short-term assignments by diaspora experts and for professionals from Ukraine who want to contribute to the country’s recovery.