Professor Mohamed Janabi from Tanzania has been elected as the new World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.
His election took place on Sunday during a Special Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, held in Geneva ahead of the World Health Assembly.
Janabi’s emergence follows the appointment of Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu as Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme.
Ihekweazu had been serving as the acting Regional Director after the passing of Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile in February 2025. Dr. Ndugulile had been elected to the role in August 2024.
Born on December 25, 1962, Prof. Janabi currently serves as Senior Advisor on Health Matters to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He is also the Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital.
Previously, from 2014 to 2022, he held the position of Executive Director at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam.
According to his CV, Janabi envisions “a healthier, resilient, and prosperous Africa where everyone has access to quality healthcare, supported by equitable, innovative, and sustainable systems that ensure optimal well-being.”
His stated priorities include Universal Health Coverage, maternal and child health, the fight against communicable and non-communicable diseases, strengthening primary healthcare, developing climate-resilient health systems, ensuring health security, promoting innovation and research, building partnerships, combating antimicrobial resistance, and increasing domestic health financing.
Janabi’s academic background includes a postdoctoral fellowship in Cardiology at Osaka University Hospital (2004), a PhD in Cardiology from the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan, a Master of Tropical Health from Queensland Medical School, Australia (1994), and a Doctor of Medicine from Kharkov Medical Institute, Ukraine (1989).
He holds honorary academic titles including Honorary Professor at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (2003) and Adjunct Professor in Cardiology at the Medical University of South Carolina, USA (2006).
In addition to his health career, Janabi is known for his passion for sports. From 2018 to June 2024, he served on the board of Simba Sports Club, which climbed to a CAF ranking of seventh under his watch.
He currently chairs the Drug and Doping Committee for the East Africa-hosted AFCON 2027, where he is tasked with maintaining integrity and fair play.
Following his election, WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus offered his congratulations.
In a post on X, Tedros stated, “You have earned the confidence and trust of the Member States of the region. This is a great privilege, and a very great responsibility. I assure you of my support and that of my colleagues in Geneva.”
Also reacting to the development, WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Kazadi Mulombo, said, “Congratulations Prof @ProfJanabi on your election as new RD @WHOAFRO by 47 Member States. We look forward to welcoming you and implementing your new vision for Africa Health Development.
“We @WHONigeria look forward to working under your leadership and stand ready to contribute to fulfilling your vision of a healthier, better, and more competitive Africa.”
