In a decisive step toward rebuilding Sudan’s healthcare infrastructure, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a three-year, bipartite funding and implementation agreement under the Sudan Health Emergency and Infrastructure Project (SHEIP). The project aims to restore essential health services, enhance emergency preparedness, and build resilient systems in some of the most affected areas of Sudan.

The agreement, signed on 3 November 2025, will focus on White Nile, Kordofan, Darfur, and parts of Khartoum, enabling over six million Sudanese citizens—including three million women and 1.2 million internally displaced persons—to access quality healthcare.

A Strategic Partnership for Sudan’s Recovery

According to the WHO, the project will help rehabilitate targeted health facilities, install essential medical equipment, and train healthcare workers to deliver conflict-sensitive health and nutrition services. It will also bolster emergency response through disease surveillance and rapid response teams.

“Throughout the two-and-a-half-year conflict-driven crisis, WHO has provided critical technical, operational and supply chain support to the health emergency response in Sudan. With the return of stability in parts of Sudan it is time to implement response and recovery side by side and we stand committed to do that with the support of our partner, the African Development Bank,”
— Dr Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative in Sudan and Head of Mission (source: WHO Press Release, 5 November 2025).

“The African Development Bank is pleased to partner with the World Health Organization to strengthen Sudan’s health system and restore essential services for its people. WHO’s proven expertise in managing complex health emergencies gives us confidence that this project will be implemented effectively, supporting early recovery and building resilience in the face of ongoing challenges,”— Dr Alex Mubiru, Director General for East Africa, African Development Bank Group (source: WHO Press Release, 5 November 2025).

Building Hope and Confidence Across Sudan

This partnership represents more than an infrastructure project—it is an investment in Sudan’s human capital and social stability. By improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare, it aims to restore dignity, strengthen resilience, and lay the foundations for long-term recovery.

“This project is about reaching the people who need help the most. By focusing on areas like White Nile, Kordofan, Darfur and parts of Khartoum, we hope to restore essential health services for communities that have endured years of hardship,”
— Peter Ogwang, Chief Health Analyst, African Development Bank Group (source: WHO Press Release, 5 November 2025).

The project is expected to rehabilitate facilities, provide essential medical supplies, and re-energize Sudan’s public health capacity, where only 48 % of facilities are currently functional, according to the latest HeRAMS data.

SCLO’s Perspective

At Sudanese Commercial Law Office (SCLO), we view this partnership as an encouraging signal of renewed confidence in Sudan’s recovery trajectory. Strengthening essential services such as healthcare not only saves lives but also fosters a stable environment conducive to investment, reconstruction, and inclusive economic growth.

This initiative demonstrates that strategic international cooperation, backed by effective implementation, remains vital for Sudan’s journey toward resilience and sustainable development.