WCCBT, WHO, and African CBT leaders Unite to Advance Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatments Across Africa

The World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (WCCBT) and the World Health Organization (WHO) convened their first joint Africa CBT Development Roundtable on October 28, 2025 — a historic meeting bringing together African CBT leaders from Morocco (Dr. Jamal Chiboub), Nigeria (Dr. Stephanie Okolo), South Africa (Dr. Shane Pienaar du Bruyn, Uganda (Dr. James Sebuddee and Mr. Ronald Muyomba), and Zimbabwe (Dr. Tarisai Bere), alongside WHO global (Dr. Ken Carswell and Dr. James Underhill) and WHO regional (Dr. Chido Rwafa Madzvamutse) representatives and the members of the WCCBT Board of Directors represented by Dr Rod Holland (Europe), Dr. Ross Menzies (Australasia), Dr. Andreas Veith (Europe), Dr. Mehmet Sungur (Europe), Dr. Nimisha Kumar (Asia), Dr Maria do Céu Salvador (Europe), and Dr. Elsa Farfan standing in (South America).

Hosted and convened by Dr. Lata K. McGinn, President of the World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (WCCBT, the event marked a new era of collaboration with colleagues in Africa to expand access to evidence-based mental health care across Africa and establish a Pan-African CBT Organization represent the Africa on the WCCBT.

Dr. Lata K. McGinn opened the meeting by welcoming African CBT leaders, WHO colleagues, and members of the WCCBT Board and Executive Committee, noting that the event marked a historic milestone in global collaboration.

She emphasized WCCBT’s mission to expand access to high-quality CBT worldwide and highlighted the importance of partnership, capacity building, and cultural adaptation to ensure that evidence-based care reaches every community.

“It takes a village to realize this vision,” Dr. McGinn said. “Today, that village is gathered here.”

Building on a Legacy of Collaboration

The roundtable traced its roots to the Pan-African Special Interest Group of the EABCT, whose early efforts — led by WCCBT Hon. Secretary Dr. Rod Holland (then president of EABCT), Dr. Pierre Phillipot, Dr. Helen MacDonald and colleagues — laid the groundwork for Africa’s growing CBT network. Dr. Helen MacDonald presented the early efforts and activities of the Pan-African Special Interest Group at the roundtable.

WCCBT–CBT Organization of Africa Development Taskforce

With the announcement of WCCBT’s strategic priority in Africa, the Pan-African Committee officially transitioned into the WCCBT–CBT Organization of Africa Development Taskforce. The vision now continues under the leadership of the WCCBT–CBT Organization of Africa Development Taskforce supported by the KOLABO Project.

Kolabo Project

Dr. Peter Phiri presented findings from the KOLABO feasibility study, sponsored by WCCBT. Over 780 professionals from Africa and the Global South participated, revealing:

• Strong support (≈75%) for creating a Pan-African CBT organization.
• Barriers including limited funding, uneven training, and lack of accreditation.
• Significant ongoing but under-documented CBT activity across Africa.

“This isn’t about exporting CBT,” Dr. Phiri said. “It’s about co-creating a system that amplifies African voices, cultural contexts, and innovation.”

Country Progress and Shared Vision

Presentations from national CBT leaders showcased a dynamic landscape of innovation and determination:

• Morocco: Two decades of CBT training and cultural adaptation.
• Nigeria: The ICTMH initiative linking training, teletherapy, and advocacy.
• South Africa: The CBTASA advancing national integration and supervision models.
• Uganda: New groundwork for the CBT Association of Uganda (CBTAU).
• Zimbabwe: The newly incorporated ZCBTA promoting collaboration and access.

WHO Partnership and Systems Strengthening

WHO’s Dr. Ken Carswell presented scalable psychological interventions such as PM+, SH+, and Doing What Matters, now being implemented worldwide. Dr. Chido Rwafa Madzvamutse emphasized the need for comprehensive system strengthening — integrating mental health into primary care while investing in upstream specialist services, including CBT-trained professionals.

A Shared Mission

Dr. McGinn closed by celebrating the collective vision that unites WCCBT, WHO, and African leaders:

“Together, we are building the infrastructure, partnerships, and workforce to ensure CBT — adapted, culturally grounded, and competently delivered — reaches every community across Africa.”

The roundtable marks the beginning of a transformative journey — one rooted in partnership, science, and shared purpose — toward a future where evidence-based psychological care is accessible to all.