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?

What kind of investors do you think will be needed to grow the region’s private health sector?

Why do life sciences matter in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Is Africa’s investment climate good for business?

How did you collaborate with the World Bank and NGOs on this report?

How will you publicize the report and IFC's response? How will you ensure that the report is seen by target audiences?

Who was responsible for preparing the report? What subsectors does it cover? What countries are covered?

• The scope of the report included select subsectors in health care provision (including in-patient, out-patient, retail and distribution, insurance, and medical education) and the following countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. South Africa was also included with respect to pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturing. (Other dimensions of the private health sector in South Africa are considered more advanced than elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa.).
• The report was prepared by a team drawn from IFC’s Health and Education Department and is based on independent analysis conducted by McKinsey & Company. Over the course of six months, a team of McKinsey consultants traveled throughout Sub-Saharan Africa to gather information and learn about the challenges and opportunities facing the private health sector. They developed "market-sizing" approaches; consulted with almost 400 stakeholders from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors; and provided input from their experts in global public health, financial markets, and economic development.