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 25 members.

The region has established a sub-regional federation for organisations from Francophone countries (mainly in West Africa). Physiotherapy organisations from East African countries have also started meeting on an annual basis, enabling organisations that are not yet World Physiotherapy members to find out more about our role.

The region is also leading a special project on palliative care physiotherapy with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS.

Africa region executive committee

Chair: Joseph Martial Capo-Chichi, member of Beninoise Association of Physiotherapists – Reeducators
Vice chair: Priscillah Ondoga, member of Uganda Association of Physiotherapy
Secretary: Alberta Rockson, member of Ghana Physiotherapy Association
Public relations officer: Houda Lahlou, member of National Federation of Physiotherapists in Morocco

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

27-29 October 2022
- Africa regional congress
- Find out more and register for congress

For details about future meetings and events, please contact [email protected]

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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Benin

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

97 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.17 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

63% (60-80%)

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?

0.44 (<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, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is direct access permitted?

Public only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Cameroon

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

150 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.16 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

60% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

57% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

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

1.19 (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 member organisation specific standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is direct access permitted?

Public only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Congo (Democratic Republic)

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

300 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.14 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

78% (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?

0.3 (<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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Eswatini

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

38 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.52 (<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

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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Ethiopia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

280 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.08 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

37% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

33% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.18 (<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, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Ghana

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

100 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.07 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

43% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

43% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.34 (<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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Ivory Coast

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

75 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.08 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

36% (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?

0.2 (<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 direct access permitted?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Kenya

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

186 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.39 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

39% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

35% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

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

0.88 (<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, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Madagascar

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

89 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.08 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

54% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

55% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

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

0.19 (<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, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Malawi

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

89 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.08 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

60% (40-60%)

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?

0.28 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

The Medical Council of Malawi regulates Physiotherapy practice (Other)

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 direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Mali

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

82 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.07 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

88% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

48% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Masters degree

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

0.26 (<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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Mauritius

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

36 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.72 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

56% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

62% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

3.95 (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?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Morocco

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

500 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.11 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

60% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

53% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.56 (<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 direct access permitted?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Namibia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

125 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.54 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

83% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

82% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

2.04 (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 direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Niger

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

61 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.04 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

25% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

22% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

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

0.22 (<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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Nigeria

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

790 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.13 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

35% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

40% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.41 (<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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Rwanda

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

75 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.33 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

29% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

50% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

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

0.41 (<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 direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Senegal

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

102 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.07 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

39% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

37% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.32 (<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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

South Africa

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

4,089 (1000-10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.45 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

89% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

85% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.69 (<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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Sudan

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

69 (<100)

Tanzania

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

89 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.09 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

42% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

35% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

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?

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Togo

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

83 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.44 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

30% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

12% (<20%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.63 (<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 direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Uganda

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

200 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.09 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

30% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

32% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

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?

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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Zambia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

32 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.86 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

63% (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?

0.29 (<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 direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Zimbabwe

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

65 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.24 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

66% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

55% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

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)