BACKGROUND:
The public health workforce is critical for resilient health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, there is limited empirical evidence on Master of Public Health (MPH) graduates’ career trajectories, leadership pathways, and competency gaps in the African context.

METHODS:
The session draws on findings from multi-institutional studies of MPH graduates from eight South African universities and complementary multi-country research in other African countries that focused on core public health competencies. The diverse research methods include online alumni surveys, competency assessments, employer interviews, and curriculum reviews to examine motivations, career trajectories, leadership roles, workplace competencies, and curriculum revision or alignment. The organised session will combine a panel of short expert inputs and interactive discussion.

RESULTS:
The session will be structured around five evidence-based themes emerging from the study

RESULTS:
(1) Career Mobility and Workforce Entry: MPH graduates were typically mid-career professionals with high employment rates and strong mobility across government, NGO, and academic sectors; (2) Leadership Pathways: the MPH serves as a key gateway into technical and managerial public health leadership roles; (3) Workplace Impact: most graduates report meaningful organisational and societal contributions after graduation; (4) Competency Gaps: leadership, crisis and outbreak management, monitoring and evaluation, communication, and project management remain underdeveloped for a notable proportion of graduates; and (5) Curriculum–Workforce Alignment: graduates and employers highlight the need for more experiential learning, mentorship, and closer alignment between MPH training and workforce needs.

CONCLUSIONS:
The session will enable participants to identify, discuss, and prioritise practical strategies for MPH curriculum reform, leadership pathway development, and workforce planning in African contexts.