Health specialists, researchers, and advocacy leaders gathered in Abuja on Thursday September 3 on the second day of the inaugural Dementia Africa Conference 2026. At the conference was launched a 10-year initiative to transform dementia from a stigmatised and overlooked condition into a continental public health priority.
Delivering the Chairman’s opening address, Amb. Stephen Ben-Joel warned that Africa’s rapid demographic shift makes immediate action imperative. He said, while Africa remains the world’s youngest continent, its ageing population meant that millions face rising rates of cognitive decline, often in silence.
Also speaking, the President and Founder of Dementia Africa, Dr Oma Iyoko, unveiled the Dementia Africa Vision 2036, a 10 year strategy to build an African dementia movement. Iyoko said the strategy was built around CARER, a five pillar framework focusing on Conference and Care Improvement, Awareness, Research, Education, and Regulation and Policy.
Iyoko announced plans to establish the first African Dementia Data Bank to ensure Africa leads its own medical narratives rather than relying on external data. She urged participants to leave the conference with measurable commitments to invest in dementia care, research, awareness, and policy development.
The conference featured research presentations, panel discussions and goodwill messages from participants and stakeholders. Health specialists, policy experts, support workers, and other stakeholders from across the world attended the event.
Leave a comment