Diabetes: 24.6m Africans affected, cases to hit 59.5m by 2050 — WHO

By Chioma Obinna

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that diabetes cases in Africa could rise from 24.6 million adults in 2024 to 59.5 million by 2050, with nearly three out of every four people living with the disease unaware of their condition.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, disclosed this in his message ahead of the 2026 World Diabetes Day, marked on November 14, under the theme, “Early Action on Diabetes.”

Janabi said the growing burden of diabetes was increasingly affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions across the continent, while many remained undiagnosed until serious complications developed.

He stressed that early diagnosis and timely treatment were critical to preventing complications, reducing suffering and saving lives.

He warned that many people only discover they have the condition after developing serious complications, including kidney failure, blindness, cardiovascular disease and lower-limb amputations.

“Early diagnosis and timely treatment can prevent complications, reduce suffering and save lives,” he said.

The WHO regional director called on individuals, communities, governments, health workers and development partners to strengthen public awareness, promote early diagnosis and expand access to affordable, quality diabetes care.

He urged members of the public not to ignore common warning signs, including increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness and blurred vision.

“My first message is to the general public: Know the symptoms of diabetes and act early. Increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness and blurred vision may be warning signs. Do not ignore these symptoms. Seek testing and medical advice promptly, and encourage family members and friends to do the same,” Janabi said.

He also urged people at increased risk to undergo screening, noting that diabetes could develop without obvious symptoms.

Janabi called on communities to share accurate information and challenge stigma and discrimination against people living with the condition.

To healthcare workers, he stressed the importance of recognising symptoms early, providing timely testing and delivering compassionate, patient-centred care.

“Every patient encounter is an opportunity to promote prevention, improve diabetes management and prevent complications,” he said.

The WHO official said the organisation was supporting African countries to strengthen diabetes services through its Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions (WHO PEN), HEARTS technical package for cardiovascular disease, HEARTS-D for the diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes, and PEN-Plus strategy for severe noncommunicable diseases at first-level referral facilities.

He commended Rwanda for achieving nationwide district-level coverage of PEN-Plus, while noting that significant gaps remained in access to trained health workers, diagnostic services, essential medicines and continuous care.

Janabi urged governments to make diabetes prevention, early diagnosis and continuous treatment priorities within primary healthcare and universal health coverage.

“This requires sustained investment in public awareness, affordable insulin and essential medicines, diagnostics, trained health workers and reliable health systems,” he said.

He also called on development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector to support government-led efforts, particularly in underserved communities.

Janabi reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to helping member states accelerate progress towards the 2030 targets of the Global Diabetes Compact in the African Region.

He said: “On this World Diabetes Day, my message is simple: Know the symptoms. Do not ignore the warning signs. Seek testing and care early. Encourage others to do the same.

“Together, we can build an Africa where diabetes is detected early, quality treatment is accessible to all, and no one loses their sight, a limb or their life because diabetes was diagnosed too late.”