Abstract: In Africa about 133 million people lived with disabilities which were mainly the sequelae of infectious disease, war or trauma accidents, single organ dysfunction, refractive error and some others. Medical rehabilitation and community-based rehabilitation could only meet 5%~55% of their rehabilitation needs. Weak infrastructure, poverty and lack of funds, negative attitudes and the monotonous human and culture environments restricted the development of rehabilitation medicine in Africa. Chinese model of rehabilitation medicine seemed to be suitable for Africa. Chinese medical teams in Africa could do a lot in admissions of the disabled, improving hardware conditions,training of professionals, developing new technology and expanding the prestige of rehabilitation medicine.

Key words: rehabilitation medicine, Africa, development, Chinese medical teams in Africa