Background There are several curricula developed to train providers in low-resource settings on how to care for critically ill and injured children, however few incorporate the unique needs, insights, and challenges faced by the providers. Using a mixed methods approach, we conducted a needs assessment to determine the most important learning issues, attitudes, and beliefs of emergency department (ED) providers at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) about the development of a novel pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) curriculum for their setting. Methods A retrospective, observational, analysis of a database of pediatric (<18 years old) ED visits from April 2016 to April 2017 identified the most common presenting diagnoses. Qualitative focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted using purposive sampling of providers. Content analysis identified emerging themes and member-checking was performed approximately 5 months later. Results Analysis of 16005 visits showed that 8 of the top 15 most common diagnoses were shared with the 15 most important topics identified by healthcare providers from the qualitative analysis; sepsis, anemia, malnutrition, congenital heart disease, pneumonia, burns, malaria, and seizures. Twenty-one healthcare providers (2 ED attending physicians, 1 pediatric attending, 5 ED residents, 9 nurses, and 4 registrars) participated and thematic saturation was achieved. Fifty-seven percent of respondents (n=13) preferred a course taught in-person, and 58% (n=15) preferred a course length of less than six months. Respondents preferred a mixed instruction approach of lectures and didactics with simulation and skills stations. Three principal perspectives on poor patient outcomes were identified; i) delayed presentation to care from a lack of recognition of disease severity and/or inappropriate or inadequate treatment; ii) poor communication and a lack of knowledge of pediatric resuscitation and critical care, and limited pediatric supplies and equipment; and iii) inadequate inpatient care despite ED stabilization. Conclusions Emergency care providers reported interest in participating in a short PEM curriculum with both live training and self-administered learning. The topics identified were concordant between participants and a database analysis, as well as previously published studies. Themes on poor patient outcomes have provided a deeper context into which the curriculum will be taught. These findings can inform future curriculum development efforts.