Urgent: Africa Launches 6×5 Plan to Tackle Rising Dementia Crisis

UPDATE: In a groundbreaking move, Africa has launched the 6×5 Plan to combat a looming dementia crisis, with projections indicating that over 1 million people in South Africa alone will be living with dementia by 2050. This urgent initiative was announced on October 23, 2025, as Professor Stephen Tollman from the SAMRC/Wits Rural Health Transitions Unit was appointed to the newly formed Africa Task Force on Brain Health by the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative.

As Africa faces unprecedented challenges from an ageing population, the 6×5 Plan aims to enhance the continent’s readiness to tackle neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Tollman emphasized that “brain health is critical to the economic and social prosperity of society.” He warned that without proactive measures, cognitive decline will impact not just older citizens, but families and workplaces across the continent.

The 6×5 Plan identifies six immediate priorities to be pursued over the next five years, with task forces already established to drive progress. These priorities include expanding brain health advocacy, positioning brain health as a socioeconomic driver, and leveraging existing health resources for dementia care.

“Brain health runs through every stage of life,” says Tollman. The plan outlines that addressing brain health now can prevent future crises, creating a ripple effect that enhances productivity and innovation across Africa.

The first priority is to challenge stigma and improve brain health literacy among the population. The second focuses on recognizing cognitive resilience as essential for socioeconomic transformation. The third priority includes utilizing current health infrastructures, such as disease control programs, for dementia detection and support.

Additionally, the plan emphasizes breaking down silos of data across borders to ensure accurate policy-making based on shared evidence. The transformative potential of Africa’s mobile revolution is highlighted as the fourth priority, utilizing digital health tools to reach millions efficiently. Finally, securing sustainable funding and integrating brain health into national development goals is crucial for long-term success.

Professor Tollman noted, “Africa can realize this plan, using much of what it already has.” With the Health and Ageing in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSI) programme, researchers have been documenting how adults over 40 live and age in resource-limited settings, providing valuable insights into cognitive health.

The urgency of this plan cannot be overstated. As areas like Agincourt-Bushbuckridge witness rising rates of hypertension, diabetes, and other health issues, the interconnected nature of these conditions with dementia highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to brain health.

The 6×5 Plan represents not just a roadmap for addressing dementia but also a call to action for African nations to prioritize brain health as a critical component of their social and economic frameworks.

As this plan rolls out, the world will be watching how Africa leads the charge in innovative, community-driven approaches to brain health—transforming what could be a vulnerability into a source of resilience.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more details emerge about the implementation of the 6×5 Plan and its impact on Africa’s future health landscape.