World Physiotherapy Africa region

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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.

Executive committee

Events

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

Contact details

    Key contacts

    Member organisations in this region

    Benin

    Beninoise Association of Physiotherapists - Reeducators

    Cameroon

    Cameroon Society of Physiotherapy

    Congo (Democratic Republic)

    Congo Physical Therapists Union

    Eswatini

    Eswatini Physiotherapy Association

    Ethiopia

    Ethiopian Physiotherapists' Association

    Ghana

    Ghana Physiotherapy Association

    Ivory Coast

    Ivorian Association of Masseurs-Kinesitherapists

    Kenya

    Kenya Society of Physiotherapists

    Madagascar

    Association of Physiotherapists of Madagascar

    Malawi

    Physiotherapy Association of Malawi

    Mali

    Association of Physiotherapists of Mali

    Mauritius

    Association of Physiotherapists

    Morocco

    National Federation of Physiotherapists in Morocco

    Namibia

    Namibian Society of Physiotherapy

    Niger

    Nigerien Physiotherapy Association

    Nigeria

    Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy

    Rwanda

    Rwanda Physical Therapy Organisation

    Senegal

    Senegalese Association of Physiotherapists - Rehabilitators

    South Africa

    South African Society of Physiotherapy

    Sudan

    Sudanese Physiotherapy Association

    Tanzania

    Association of Physiotherapists in Tanzania

    Togo

    Togolese Physiotherapists' Association

    Uganda

    Uganda Association of Physiotherapy

    Zambia

    Zambia Society of Physiotherapy

    Zimbabwe

    Zimbabwe Physiotherapy Association

    Profile of the profession in this region

    A global profile of the profession is also available.

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    Accessible version of data

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    Benin

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

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

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    Cameroon

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

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

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the WCPT member organisation specific standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    Yes

    Congo (Democratic Republic)

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

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

    5-10

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    Eswatini

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    60-80%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    0

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

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

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

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

    No

    Ethiopia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    <20%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    20-40%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Independent

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, more than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    Ghana

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    40-60%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, more than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Some

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    Ivory Coast

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

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

    No

    Kenya

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

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

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Some

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

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

    No

    Madagascar

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

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

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Some

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

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

    No

    Malawi

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the WCPT standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    Mali

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    <20%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    20-40%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Masters degree

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    Yes

    Mauritius

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the WCPT standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Some

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    Namibia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

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

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

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

    No

    Niger

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    20-40%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

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

    No

    Nigeria

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    <20%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    20-40%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Independent

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, more than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    Yes

    Rwanda

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    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

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

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

    No

    Senegal

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    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

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    South Africa

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    1000-10000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    1-5

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    60-80%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    >80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Independent

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, more than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    Sudan

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    <20%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    20-40%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

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

    0

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

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

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Some

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    Tanzania

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

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

    No

    Togo

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    <20%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    <20%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    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

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

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

    No

    Uganda

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    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

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    Zambia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    <20%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Partnership

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, more than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

    Zimbabwe

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

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

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    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

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

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

    No

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