Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological conditions globally, and Africa carries a disproportionately high share of the burden. Across many regions, the treatment gap remains critically wide, meaning a large proportion of individuals with epilepsy receive little or no care.
Section 9.3 · The Evidence
Statistics on epilepsy in Africa.
| Indicator | Statistic | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of global epilepsy cases in LMICs (incl. Africa) | ~80% | Karger Neuroepidemiology, 2025 |
| Epilepsy prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa vs high-income countries | 2–3× higher | Klein et al., 2023 |
| Treatment gap in rural sub-Saharan Africa | Up to 90% | Lancet Global Health, 2024 |
| Primary causes of epilepsy burden | Preventable causes | Neuroepidemiology Review, 2025 |
| Urban epilepsy prevalence study (Nairobi) | First major urban dataset | Mwanga et al., 2024 |
Expert Analysis
What the evidence tells us.
Epilepsy in Africa is overwhelmingly driven by preventable causes such as infections, head trauma, and perinatal complications. Despite this, the treatment gap remains among the highest in the world, meaning most people never receive medication.
— Karger Neuroepidemiology, 2025Recent urban studies are revealing that epilepsy is not only a rural issue. New data from Nairobi shows a significant hidden burden in informal settlements, where diagnosis and access to care remain extremely limited.
— Mwanga et al., Lancet Global Health, 2024ANNI Response
How ANNI addresses epilepsy in Africa.
Awareness & Stigma Reduction
Community education programs to reduce stigma and promote early care-seeking behavior.
Referral Systems
Creating structured pathways so suspected cases are connected to diagnostic and treatment services.
Data & Research
Building epilepsy datasets to understand true prevalence and treatment gaps across African regions.