“Forward Together” – Advancing Chiropractic in Africa
A Report from the African Chiropractic Federation 2025 Congress
The African Chiropractic Federation held its annual meeting on January 16-17, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this post, Dr. Mufudzi Chihambakwe, president of the ACF and Clinic Coordinator for World Spine Care in Botswana, recaps the event.
We had an incredible gathering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 16-17, 2025, for the African Chiropractic Federation (ACF) Conference. Hosted by Dr. Selam Aklilu of the Ethiopian Chiropractic Association, the congress was more than just a strategic meeting—it was a vibrant celebration of African professionalism, culture, and collaboration. We were honored to welcome delegates from Ethiopia, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and even the Philippines.
The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers who provided deep insights into key areas of chiropractic care. Dr. Neerasha Ramsamy (South Africa) delivered a compelling presentation on pediatric chiropractic care, emphasizing the need for early interventions to support child health. Prof. Richard Brown, representing the World Federation of Chiropractic, spoke about the global standing of chiropractic and Africa’s growing role in shaping its future. Meanwhile, Dr. Russ Hornstein (Malta), a leading expert in chiropractic neurology, discussed advancements in neurological rehabilitation and how chiropractors can integrate these into their clinical practice. We were also privileged to have a series of insightful virtual presentations from Dr. Fatima Ismail (University of Johannesburg), Prof. Chis Yelverton (University of Johannesburg), Mrs. Esther Pillay Naidoo (Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa), Dr. Vivian Kil (European Chiropractic Council), Dr. Gitte Tóner (Netherlands), and many more.
Beyond the discussions, the congress fostered a strong sense of unity and momentum, with participants engaging in visioning workshops, panel discussions, and strategic planning sessions. The result was a bold, forward-looking agenda—the ACF 2030 Vision, a strategic roadmap to elevate the profession and ensure its long-term impact on musculoskeletal health.
Significantly, we engaged in productive meetings with the African Union’s Commissioner of Health and key officials at the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, taking important steps toward advancing musculoskeletal health in Africa. Our deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Selam Aklilu and her team for their stellar efforts in hosting us and for showcasing the wonders of Ethiopian culture, cuisine, architecture, and history.
We also delved into the rich chiropractic history of Ethiopia, learning about the country's first chiropractors—Ethiopian graduates from the US soon after World War II.
A Key Outcome: Mapping Chiropractic’s Future in Africa
A major highlight of the conference was the workshop we facilitated to map out key areas of growth for chiropractic in Africa by 2030. After valuable deliberations and discussions, we produced Pioneering Progress – Realizing Chiropractic's Vision for 2030, which outlines our collective vision and priorities.
Included in the report are the following key priorities from the ACF 2030 Vision:
Regulation & Licensing – Expanding the number of African countries with formal chiropractic regulation and reducing licensing barriers.
Education & Workforce Growth – Increasing chiropractic training programs and ensuring equitable distribution of chiropractors across Africa.
Accessibility & Affordability – Advocating for chiropractic integration into public healthcare systems and improving affordability.
Collaboration & Integration – Strengthening interdisciplinary partnerships to position chiropractic as an essential component of patient care.
Data & IT Integration – Developing robust data collection systems to support research, policy advocacy, and evidence-based chiropractic care.
Focus on Life-Course Health – Addressing maternal health, infant and child wellness, and healthy ageing through chiropractic care.
Building a Data-Driven Future for Chiropractic in Africa
One of the Congress’s major discussions centered around the importance of structured data collection and research to advance chiropractic in Africa. Without strong epidemiological evidence and data-driven advocacy, chiropractic risks being overlooked in national healthcare strategies.
To address this, ACF is inviting universities, clinics, and professional associations to partner in establishing standardized data systems, publishing research, and using insights to influence policy and funding decisions. Collaborative efforts in data management will be essential for strengthening the profession and demonstrating its impact across the continent.
Looking Ahead: Forward Together
With this momentum, I am proud to announce our theme for ACF 2025: Forward Together.
We are looking ahead and making plans for the profession we want by 2030. Whether or not you were in the room in Addis, you are invited to be part of this journey—your voice and contributions matter. As you care for patients, teach students, lobby governments, conduct research, and lead professional associations this year, know that the ACF celebrates you and looks forward to partnering with you in advancing our great profession through unity in diversity.
Get Involved
The African Chiropractic Federation is committed to advancing chiropractic through collaboration, education, and policy advocacy. We encourage stakeholders across Africa to engage with our initiatives and contribute to the development of the profession.
📥 Download the ACF 2030 Vision document here.
🌍 Join the conversation – If you are part of a university, clinic, or professional association and want to collaborate on chiropractic education, research, or advocacy, we’d love to connect. Reach out to us at AfricanChiropracticFederation@outlook.com.
Together, we can strengthen chiropractic’s role in Africa and create a future where musculoskeletal health is prioritized at every level of healthcare.
