Unlocking Africa’s Health Potential: A Conversation with Lutz Hegemann on Innovation, Partnerships, and Sustainability

In our latest Road to Davos Interview, we sat down with Lutz Hegemann, President of Global Health & Sustainability at Novartis, for an inspiring conversation on transforming health outcomes in Africa. Lutz shared the critical role of innovation, partnerships, and sustainability in addressing the continent’s unique challenges. His insights underscore the importance of collaboration and sustainable action as we approach Davos 2025.

Africa Collective: Can you briefly introduce yourself and your organisation?

My name is Lutz Hegemann, and I lead Global Health & Sustainability at Novartis. Our focus is on delivering innovation and improving access to medicine in low-resource settings worldwide while integrating environmental, social, and governance principles across the entire organisation. In 2023, we reached 33.2 million patients with our innovative medicines through access approaches.

I began my career as a public health physician and scientist, and outside of Novartis, I serve on multiple boards, including PATH, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, the Tanzania Training Centre of International Health, and the Novartis Foundation.

Africa Collective: What is your organisation’s primary focus or mission?

The primary focus of the Novartis Global Health unit is to transform health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries through targeted programs addressing infectious diseases, such as malaria and neglected tropical diseases, as well as chronic diseases, such as sickle cell disease or cardiovascular disease. We also represent the company in sub-Saharan Africa, striving to ensure that everyone, regardless of location or socio-economic status, can benefit from our innovations. Together with our strategic partners, we work every day to extend the reach of our medicines and maximise our social impact as a sustainable business.

Africa Collective: How do you see your organisation as a pan-African champion?

As a leading pharmaceutical company in Africa, we are committed to meeting the healthcare needs of a growing population with innovative medicines. Our approach has evolved over the last few decades from pure philanthropic efforts to a comprehensive, long-term engagement, which has deepened our understanding of patients’ needs and healthcare challenges across the region. Our initiatives, like the Malaria Program, through which we’ve delivered over 1 billion doses of our antimalarial treatment, exemplify our dedication. In 2019, we solidified our commitment by establishing a dedicated sub-Saharan Africa unit, focusing on broadening access to innovation, building healthcare capacities, and leveraging partnerships to strengthen health systems.

Africa Collective: Which topics and themes related to Africa would you like to see more prominently featured on global platforms such as the World Economic Forum?

With Africa’s population nearing 1.5 billion, leveraging this critical mass presents significant benefits for the continent. A united and integrated market across Africa could unlock immense potential, fostering regional trade, investment, and sustainable development. By harnessing the collective knowledge, creativity, and innovation of a large and diverse populace, the continent can drive advancements in technology, education, and entrepreneurship. Avoiding fragmentation is key to unlocking the continent’s full potential and below are some of the ways this can be done in the healthcare sector.

• Supply Chain Integration: Implementing systems that ensure medicine availability at all levels, down to the last mile.

• Regulatory Harmonisation: Strengthening regulatory systems through reliance, convergence and operationalisation of the African Medicines Agency.

• Combatting Illicit Trade: Working with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to foster health ethics and business integrity.

• Innovation Incentives: Encouraging local innovation and well-funded R&D ecosystems for developing new medicines and technologies.

• Universal Health Coverage : Accelerating momentum through sustainable health financing mechanisms and strengthened health systems.

Africa Collective: Can you share an example of a successful partnership you have been part of in Africa?

Partnerships are the backbone of our commitment to sustainably expand access and strengthen health systems across Africa. The Novartis Africa Sickle Cell Disease program, which operates successfully in several countries with a high burden of the disease, could serve as a ‘blueprint’ for public-private partnerships to tackle global health priorities. We have learned that multi-sector partnerships are the most impactful way to overcome barriers to healthcare and help solve the complexities of access to healthcare, because each partner contributes unique expertise.

Our partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is another promising example, as it aims to transform African economies and improve access to medical innovation. As the first pharmaceutical company involved, we recognised its potential early and are pleased with the progress. At the World Economic Forum in January, we partnered with the Africa Collective and the AfCFTA Secretariat to explore how to advance this initiative. Discussions centred on moving from health “spend” to healthcare as an investment and overcoming fragmentation as a barrier to business. For the healthcare sector specifically, consensus on the AfCFTA’s potential to overcome these challenges and, in the process, enable greater health equity is very encouraging.

Africa Collective: What has been your most inspiring experience in your work with Africa?

My most inspiring experiences working in Africa have been visiting communities across the continent and hearing directly from patients and healthcare professionals about their challenges. These experiences allow me to step out of my role and truly understand healthcare from the perspective of those we aim to serve. Walking in patients’ shoes has given me a profound appreciation for their resilience and the urgent need for better healthcare delivery. It reinforced my commitment to ensuring that our work goes beyond providing medicines to truly address the unique needs of every patient.

Africa Collective: What advice would you give to other leaders/organisations/companies looking to make a positive impact in Africa?

My advice is to thoroughly understand the unique environments in which you operate. Each country has specific needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. Embrace the diversity across Africa and be prepared for setbacks. Collaboration across sectors is crucial for making a lasting, positive impact, as it allows for a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to addressing the continent’s diverse needs.

Africa Collective: What key message would you like to share about Africa’s potential and opportunities with the global community?

Africa is a vibrant continent full of untapped innovation and creativity, brimming with potential that deserves global recognition. The ingenuity I see across Africa is inspiring, and it’s crucial that we nurture this spirit of innovation. By fostering creative thinking, we not only empower Africa to thrive but also enrich the world with its transformative ideas and solutions.

About the Road to Davos – Leadership Voices Series

Leading up to Africa Collective’s Davos annual series of events during the period of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, taking place from 20-24 January 2025, Africa Collective is speaking to a collection of foremost thought and business leaders in both the private and public sectors as part of our ongoing effort to highlight opportunities in Africa. Our objective with the Road to Davos – Leadership Voices Series is to position African topics on the global stage through the lens of leaders from the continent or who lead organisations with interests in the continent.