Improving adolescent health outcomes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Adolescents across Africa are facing complex and under-addressed health and development challenges. Despite being the fastest-growing age group on the continent – over 40% of Africa’s population is under the age of 15 – many health systems remain ill-equipped to meet their needs.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the stakes are particularly high. One third of its population is between 10 and 24 years old (33 million people), yet only 17% of adolescents utilised health services in 2021. Many young people face overlapping risks, including communicable diseases, elevated rates of sexually transmitted infections, early and unintended pregnancies, pregnancy complications, exposure to sexual violence, and mental health struggles often exacerbated by prolonged conflict and instability.
Amp Health has begun an initial partnership engagement in the DRC to better understand the local context and identify where systemic leadership and management support could help unlock progress. This work will explore existing efforts, identify systemic gaps, and lay the foundation for potential long-term collaboration to address these gaps. The goal: to strengthen adolescent health systems that are coordinated, responsive, and equitable.
“This work is a logical extension of our engagements in Central Africa, where we have established partnerships in the Central African Republic, Chad, and the Republic of the Congo. As a paediatrician and parent, I have long believed that young people are our greatest asset and the foundation of our future. With that belief comes a profound responsibility: to ensure they have the access and opportunities to realise their full potential. At the heart of this is the imperative to provide equitable and adequate access to adolescent-responsive health services – designed with their voices and experiences at the table.”
This initiative has been made possible through support from the Vitol Foundation, whose flexible capital is enabling Amp Health to explore how leadership, systems-strengthening, and engagement of adolescents in designing appropriate services can identify novel approaches, catlayse innovative partnerships, and ultimately transform adolescent health and wellbeing. With extensive experience in reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare, Amp Health is well-positioned to critically assess the adolescent health landscape – an area that too often remains underprioritised. The findings will inform a broader strategy to support the DRC’s Ministry of Health, other relevant ministries, and partners in transforming adolescent health outcomes through locally led and cross-sectoral collaboration.
“While we have achieved remarkable progress in recent years, the challenges ahead are still considerable. We look forward to this assessment phase serving as a foundation for a lasting and impactful partnership with Amp Health and the Vitol Foundation.”
At Amp Health, we believe that improving adolescent health goes far beyond the health sector. It is about enabling young people to stay in school, participate fully in society, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and economies. It’s about investing in a generation – and the future they can build.