Mozambique recognised as the first-ever Gavi Leap Champion for health system reforms

Mozambique today became the first country to receive the Gavi Leap Champion recognition. The inaugural recognition was presented in acknowledgment and appreciation of Mozambique’s leadership in country ownership, health systems strengthening and sustainable health investments.

Mozambique was the first country to implement Gavi’s 2026-2030 strategic shift towards holistic immunisation budgets in alignment with its own National Immunisation Strategy, setting a new benchmark for how countries align national priorities, partner investments and health system goals around a single vision. 

Driving the new approach is the Gavi Leap principle of country-centricity, which has led to a wholesale re-design of Gavi’s operating model to be simpler, less resource-intensive and more responsive to the needs of countries. 

The Leap Champion recognition will be presented to countries that have achieved exceptional performance across criteria including; advancing country ownership, strengthening health systems and delivering sustainable health impact.

In acceptance remarks, Dr. Ussene Hilário Isse, Minister of Health of Mozambique said: “This recognition reflects the commitment of the President of the Republic of Mozambique to strengthening our health system through country-led reforms, sustainable investment, and better alignment with partners. We are proud to be a pioneer of the Gavi Leap initiative, which places national priorities and the health of our population at the center of decision-making."

Mozambique’s health leadership extends beyond immunisation. Through its engagement on the Lusaka Agenda and within the African Union, the country has strengthened the foundations of its health system through reforms to integrated community health care, health financing and supply chain priorities. A major milestone for the country was the adoption of the 2026 National Health System Law, which formalised the Community Health Subsystem and incorporated remuneration for community health workers into the national wage bill. 

"Mozambique has shown us that country ownership can drive progress,” said Rt Hon Helen Clark, Chair of the Gavi Board   Rt Hon Helen Clark, Chair of the Gavi Board. “By aligning national priorities, strengthening community health systems and bringing partners together around a common agenda, Mozambique embodies the ambition of the Gavi Leap and its experiences be a guide to other countries that are on the same journey.”

"Mozambique exemplifies the vision of the Gavi Leap: a country leading from the front, aligning partners behind national priorities and investing in systems that can deliver lasting impact,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said. “As the first country to be recognised as a Leap Champion, Mozambique has shown how strong leadership, country ownership and sustainable investments can translate into better health outcomes for children and families."

The recognition was presented at a session on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, from global reform to country leadership and last-mile impact?– a Gavi Leap dialogue, that was convened by Gavi. 

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