*By Baboloki Semele;* The African Union is set to host the 8th Session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration from 29 September to 3 October 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Convened under the theme *“Bridging Africa’s Health Financing Gap in a Changing Geo-Economic Context: Challenges and Potential Solutions,”* the meeting will unite key decision-makers to chart a path for Africa’s economic and health resilience. The STC will bring together Ministers of Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration, alongside Health Ministers, central bank governors, senior policymakers, experts, and development partners. The five-day session will feature high-level dialogues, technical discussions, and the adoption of landmark policy recommendations to strengthen Africa’s health financing and advance continental integration in line with Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

Key highlights of the program include the launch of the Task Force for the Development of a Payment Services Directive for Africa (PSDA), a major step towards harmonised financial systems and secure cross-border payments under AfCFTA. There will be a session on navigating the new era of Health Financing: Lessons from ECSA-HC, drawing insights from innovative health financing models in East, Central, and Southern Africa. The STC concept note further says a dialogue on advancing health taxation, highlighting its dual role in resource mobilisation and improving public health outcomes will be held as well. Delegates will also witness the launch of the 2025 African Integration Report, assessing progress on trade, finance, infrastructure, and free movement. On the last day, delegates will also go through a session on Inclusive Domestic Resource Mobilisation and Tax Justice, placing youth and women at the center of sustainable growth and health financing as well as panel on The UN Tax Convention, speaking to What is in it for Africa? exploring how global tax reforms can benefit African economies and curb illicit financial flows. The Johannesburg meeting is anticipated to deliver a ministerial declaration outlining consensus on bridging Africa’s health financing gap, supported by endorsed policy options, a continental Framework for Health Financing Acceleration anchored on sustainability, equity, and resilience, strengthened coordination platforms between AU departments, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and national focal points as well as tailored technical assistance roadmaps from partners such as the AfDB and Africa CDC. With Africa facing growing health demands, limited fiscal space, and global economic uncertainties, the STC provides a strategic continental platform to align health and finance policies, catalyze domestic financing commitments, and articulate Africa’s common position ahead of global forums including COP30 and the South Africa G20 Presidency. The deliberations in Johannesburg will be critical for advancing resilient, equitable, and universal health systems while accelerating continental integration under AfCFTA and Agenda 2063.