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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health crisis in East Africa and Kenya, posing a serious threat to human, animal, and environmental health. Urgent action is needed to prevent a future where common infections become untreatable.

The AMR Conference 2026 brings together experts, policymakers, funders, and community leaders to co-create practical, locally relevant solutions to combat AMR.

The AMR Conference 2026 will be held between January 21-22, 2026.

The AMR conference is led by KEMRI-Wellcome Trust and the Ministry of Health, with support from the Gates Foundation

The AMR conferencevenue is at Serena Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa, Kenya.

The objectives of the AMR conference include 

• Showcasing successful AMR initiatives in Kenya
• Identifying gaps in data, diagnostics, and stewardship
• Strengthening One Health collaboration across sectors
• Mobilizing funding and partnerships for action

• Government and health ministry officials
• Researchers, clinicians, and lab professionals
• Global health funders and development partners
• Civil society, community leaders, and innovators

• Shared priorities and policy recommendations
• Commitments from funders and partners
• Strengthened networks for ongoing collaboration
• Published conference proceedings

• AMR is now emerging as a major cause of deaths in Africa due to the high burden of infectious diseases. Its was linked to approximately 250,000 deaths in Africa in 2019 [1].
• The region faces high rates of resistant infections due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics, poor infection control, and limited access to diagnostics.
• Kenya has developed a National Action Plan (NAP) aligned with the Global Action Plan and the African Union Framework for AMR Control, aiming to strengthen surveillance, stewardship, and awareness[2].
• Despite these efforts, implementation remains uneven, with gaps in laboratory capacity, data sharing, and coordination across sectors.

1. Africa CDC. Voicing African priorities on the active pandemic: accelerating the continental response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). African Union. https://africacdc. org/download/african-union-amrlandmark …; 2024.
2. Government of Kenya. National Action Plan for the Prevention and Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance. Nairobi: Government of Kenya; 2023.