Githinji Gitahi

A passionate advocate for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Africa, Dr. Githinji Gitahi is Group CEO of Amref Health Africa and Co-Chair of the UHC2030 Steering Committee, a global World Bank and World Health Organization initiative for UHC. Amref Health Africa, founded in 1957 and headquartered in Kenya, is the largest Africa-based international health and development organization providing training and health services to over 20 million people annually in at least 35 African countries.

Before Amref, Dr. Gitahi was Smile Train International's Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, where he successfully established partnerships for long-term sustainability with various African governments. Dr. Gitahi began working as a medical doctor and moved slowly into management within the hospital environment where he discovered his passion for marketing. This led him to senior positions at GlaxoSmithKline and Madison Insurance, where he established their medical division to create health insurance packages. He later joined the Nation Media Group, where he was the Managing Director for Monitor Publications in Uganda as well as General Manager for Marketing and Circulation in East Africa. He also held progressively senior positions at Avenue Group and within the insurance industry.

In December 2018, Dr. Gitahi was bestowed the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear, a commendation from the President of Kenya, for promoting health in Kenya.

Dr Gitahi holds a bachelor’s degree in medicine from the University of Nairobi, a master’s degree in business administration from the United States International University, as well as a Certificate for Strategic Perspectives for Non-profit Management from Harvard University.