Government spending in the health sector in Africa: MDG trends and lessons for the SDGs

This briefing note analyses planned government health spending across 21 African countries in 2014 and trends between 2008 and 2014. It uses data from the Government Spending Watch database, which independently reviews budgets worldwide to assess levels of spending on Millennium Development Goal sectors, as well as defence and debt repayments.This briefing assesses achievements in relation to the Abuja target, per person spending, spending as percentage of GDP and donor spending for health. The discussion addresses health financing prospects for Africa in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals.For further contextual information on other areas of MDG spending and recommendations to improve the level and efficiency of development spending, see the full Government Spending Watch 2015 report.To read the brief, click here.Government Spending Watch. (2015). Government spending in the health sector in Africa: MDG trends and lessons for the SDGs. May 2015. London: GSW.