UB to Honour Dr Matshidiso Moeti for Advancing African Public Health

The University of Botswana (UB) will confer an honorary Doctor of Letters degree (Doctor Litterarum Honoris Causa, DLitt) on Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in recognition of her leadership in public health and contribution to advancing healthcare across Africa, during its 2026 graduation ceremonies.

The recognition celebrates a distinguished career dedicated to strengthening health systems, improving access to healthcare and championing a more equitable response to the continent’s public health challenges.

Dr Moeti, a medical doctor and public health specialist from Botswana, served as the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa from 2015 to 2025. During her tenure, she played a leading role in coordinating continental responses to public health emergencies and advancing efforts to strengthen healthcare systems across the region.

Her leadership spanned critical health challenges especially the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious diseases and persistent inequalities in access to essential health services.

As the first woman to lead the WHO Regional Office for Africa, Dr Moeti also broke new ground for women in global health leadership, becoming an influential voice in efforts to strengthen Africa’s capacity to respond to emerging health threats.

Her career has been marked by a commitment to building resilient health systems, promoting universal health coverage and ensuring that public health policies respond to the needs of vulnerable populations.

UB’s recognition of her efforts reflects the importance of celebrating individuals whose work has made a lasting contribution to society particularly in areas that directly affect human welfare and development.

For UB, the honour also highlights the role of higher education institutions in celebrating excellence, inspiring future professionals and connecting academic learning with practical solutions to the challenges facing Botswana and the wider African continent.

Dr Moeti’s achievements are testament to women leading in the front lines and serve as lessons for students graduating in the health sciences and other disciplines on how professional expertise, leadership and public service can combine to influence policy and improve lives beyond national borders.

Her career further underscores the importance of investing in public health expertise, research, regional cooperation and strong healthcare institutions to improve health outcomes across Africa.

As Botswana recently celebrated its 60th anniversary of independence, UB reaffirms its commitment to advancing public education while recognising individuals whose contributions have significantly shaped the nation’s development.

The decision also celebrates a Botswana-born professional whose work has helped shape public health leadership across the continent and whose example continues to inspire future generations.

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