The prevalence of diabetes and associated chronic diseases in emerging countries, and particularly in Africa, is high, but the exact figures are largely unknown.
Estimates range from 5-20% across various groups and observational information point towards an upward trend, accelerated by urbanisation and the rise in living standards. Public infrastructure and healthcare expenditures are lagging behind, and the institutional focus on non-communicable diseases is only recent. The structure of healthcare, as well as local and cultural specificities are not always considered in discourses related to diabetes, even though they affect diagnosis and care.