The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa has published the Mental Health in Africa Investment Case, which makes the economic and health argument for spending more on mental health care across the WHO African Region (47 countries, a grouping that does not cover all of the continent).
What the report says
- Nearly 150 million people in the region live with mental health, neurological or substance use conditions .
- Governments spend an average of US$0.07 per person on mental health, compared with US$2.69 globally .
- Only 7 of the 47 countries are implementing comprehensive integration of mental health into primary care .
The Nigeria figures
Reporting on the same release says about 20 million Nigerians live with a mental health condition, roughly 20% of the population, and that only about 10% have access to care [TG News, 2026]. Those Nigeria numbers come from a secondary report. We have not yet seen them in WHO’s own document.
What WHO recommends
The investment case calls for community-based services, mental health care within primary healthcare as part of universal health coverage, sustained national financing, protection of human rights, and formal roles for people with lived experience in decision-making. WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi said: “Real voices can drive real change. Together, we can build mental health systems with those who use them” .
What You Can Do
- Take persistent low mood, panic or sleeplessness seriously and speak to a health worker.
- Ask your nearest PHC or general hospital what mental health services it offers.
- Check on people around you. Ask directly and listen.
- Seek urgent help if someone talks about harming themselves
The Health Factor Africa
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