Questions and Answers

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Why did IFC do this report, what was the goal, and where is it available?

What are the key findings?

How is IFC responding to the findings? What are the main elements of IFC’s strategy?


Why is IFC involved in health care? Isn’t that what governments do?


Does the report advocate privatizing health care systems in Africa? Does IFC advocate that?

Many in the public health community oppose private sector involvement in health. What is IFC's view?

What will prevent medical professionals in public sector hospitals from leaving for better-paying jobs in the private sector?

Doesn’t Africa’s private health sector mainly serve the rich?

Do private sector clinics and hospitals offer free or subsidized services for Africa’s poor?

What is IFC’s view on user fees in health care?

Is collaborating with foundations a new trend for IFC? How is the Gates Foundation involved in this report?

Who is your target audience? What kind of partners are you looking for?

What organizations do you expect will participate in the equity vehicle?

What kinds of opportunities do you see for investors?

• The health sector presents attractive opportunities and good returns for various types of entrepreneurs. Health care provision accounts for half of the estimated investment opportunities, with the remainder split across distribution and retail, pharmaceutical and medical product manufacturing, insurance, and medical education.
• There is a huge demand for improving the sector's physical capacity as well as staffing for health care delivery. More than half a million hospital beds need to be added to the existing base of 850,000. The region will need 90,000 physicians, half a million nurses, and 300,000 community health workers above the numbers expected to graduate from existing medical colleges and training institutions.
• There is also demand for better distribution and retail systems and for pharmaceutical and medical supply production facilities.
• By 2016, $25-30 billion of new investments will be needed, 60 percent of which is expected to come from the private sector. Given the breadth and diversity of this health care landscape, private sector investors should be able to find an opportunity that is right for their individual needs and goals.
• Many of the opportunities are expected to be in the small business sector. Only about a quarter are expected to have project sizes larger than $3 million.