At a glance
Why is this an important area for German companies?
Health is one of the central issues in international cooperation. Health is both a prerequisite and a goal and outcome of sustainable development. The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes everyone’s right to a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being. With SDG 3, health and well-being are also enshrined as a global Sustainable Development Goal and are a prerequisite for achieving many other development goals. That is why health is one of the BMZ's six core topics.
What growth opportunities are available?
Countries in the Global South are key growth markets for the health care sector. Long-term spending in this area is set to rise to facilitate greater access to health care services for more people.
How can businesses get involved?
Health care infrastructure is often lacking in many countries in the Global South. German companies can use their technological expertise to help develop the sector and in doing so transfer their know-how.
Why this topic matters
The German health care sector is innovative and effective. Companies in the fields of medical technology, pharma and health care management are therefore key partners in establishing and expanding robust health care systems worldwide.
Growth opportunities in the Global South
Developing countries and emerging economies in particular have a lot to benefit from the expertise, innovative products and digital solutions offered by Germany’s advanced health care sector. At the same time, countries in the Global South are key growth markets for the sector.
Around 4.5 billion people – more than half the world’s population – still do not have access to essential health care services. Improving the situation of these people is one of the most important tasks of development cooperation.
Partnerships and collaboration for global health
Companies from the health care sector are in demand as efficient and innovative partners in international cooperation.
Their expertise and products can prove particularly helpful in:
- establishing local vaccine and pharmaceutical production and logistics
- improving pandemic preparedness and global health security
- embedding the One Health approach
- strengthening sexual and reproductive health and rights
- improving health care services in hospitals
- establishing sustainable financing models for health care systems
- digitalising processes in the health care sector
Funding and support
From hospital partnerships to German Health Alliance: Finding the right partners for financing and implementation can be crucial to the success of companies investing in sustainable health care provision in the Global South.
We link up companies from the medical technology, pharmaceutical and health care management sectors with international cooperation initiatives and organisations that pursue shared objectives for the health care sector in the Global South.
Support services for businesses
The Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE)
- brings together companies from the health care sector with development cooperation stakeholders.
- helps to share knowledge, for example through webinars and by funding studies.
- provides information on current growth markets and helps to understand local conditions in the Global South.
- highlights opportunities and approaches in the context of international cooperation.
- provides advice on international tenders published by multilateral organisations.
Helpful links on this topic
Hospital partnerships
Cooperation arrangements between German hospitals, universities, higher education institutions and NGOs and their counterparts in developing countries. The projects operate worldwide across all medical specialities.
Read more
Health partnerships
Public-private projects that strengthen health systems in developing countries and emerging economies.
Read moreGHA Study: Investing in Women’s Health
The GHA study on women’s health provides a structured overview of the stakeholders already involved, the issues being addressed and the gaps that remain.
Read more