World Physiotherapy Africa region

About the region

The region has been active in supporting member organisations achieve better structured physiotherapy services and education programmes.

In 1991 the region had five members and, after a period of growth, now has 27 members.

Africa region executive committee

Chair (2026 - 2030) Henry Opondo, member of the Kenya Society of Physiotherapists
Vice chair (2024-2028): Alberta Amissah Nyarko, member of Ghana Physiotherapy Association
Executive committee member (2026 - 2030) Ahissan Mathias Krou, member of the Association des Kinesitherapeutes de Cote D'Ivoire/Association of Kinesiotherapists of Ivory Coast
Executive committee member (2026 - 2028) Monique Koopman, member of the South African Society of Physiotherapy

Strategic objectives

improve and maintain regular communication and exchange between the board and member countries/territories
strengthen active partnership and collaboration among World Physiotherapy Africa region member organisations and other international partners
encourage sub-regional groupings and collaborations
strengthen local and regional membership
revive the forum of the Africa physiotherapy educators
develop clinical and academic subgroups of common interests in Africa region
promote collaborative grant awarded regional projects

Webinars and events

The Africa region executive committee organises a series of webinars. These webinars are only open to members of World Physiotherapy member organisations in the Africa region.

Attendees will receive a certificate of webinar attendance with 2.0 hours of continuing professional development.

Details for the next webinar are:

Topic: Women’s and pelvic health

Date and time: Thursday 3 December 2026, 17:00-18:30 UTC. Check your local time

Find out more and register

Africa region conference 2026

The Africa region conference took place 5-6 June 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Read the news report about the conference

Contact details

[email protected]

Profile of the profession in this region

A global profile of the profession is also available.

Accessible version of data

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Angola

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

2,639 (1000-10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.72 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

54% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

54% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.68 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Yes

Benin

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

110 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.17 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

61% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

60% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.36 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Yes

Cameroon

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

94 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.14 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

64% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

63% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.7 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Congo (Democratic Republic)

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

346 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.13 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

75% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

67% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.49 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Eswatini

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

32 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.27 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

69% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

70% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Ethiopia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

84 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.06 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

46% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

49% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.2 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Ghana

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

180 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.1 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

48% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

60% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.44 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Ivory Coast

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

99 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.13 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

28% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

34% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.17 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Kenya

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

295 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.18 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

44% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

49% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Madagascar

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

99 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.07 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

61% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

55% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.16 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Yes

Mali

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

120 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.09 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

25% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

15% (<20%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.43 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Mauritius

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

44 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.91 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

57% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

56% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

3.96 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Morocco

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

650 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.11 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

65% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

67% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.53 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Namibia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

141 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.56 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

71% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

68% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.92 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Niger

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

74 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.04 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

26% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

38% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.37 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Nigeria

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

638 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.24 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

61% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

54% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.65 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Rwanda

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

109 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.31 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

33% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

48% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.35 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Senegal

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

97 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.07 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

63% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

45% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Masters degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.28 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Sierra Leone

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

33 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.04 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

58% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

58% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.14 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Yes

South Africa

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

3,007 (1000-10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.49 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

93% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

72% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.66 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Sudan

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

69 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.75 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

77% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

93% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.46 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Tanzania

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

100 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.1 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

30% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

14% (<20%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.59 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Togo

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

95 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.18 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

16% (<20%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

16% (<20%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.55 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Private only

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Uganda

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

276 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.12 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

44% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

49% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.51 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Zambia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

165 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.24 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

59% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

65% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.24 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Zimbabwe

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

11 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.27 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

64% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

52% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.3 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is any kind of direct access permitted?

Yes

Different kinds of direct access permitted

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes