Case study

The evolution of the Africa Partners Collective

Read more news and stories spotlighting the work of our network

15th May 2024

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Virgin Unite, alongside a small number of Founding Partners, brought together philanthropists, business and social impact leaders to support Africa's response to the emergency.

An idea sparked by Jean Oelwang and Raj Panjabi to encourage coordination and aligned funding soon evolved into a small collaborative effort - convening Virgin Unite, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Skoll Foundation, The ELMA Philanthropies, Rockefeller Foundation and Higherlife Foundation in the first instance.

Skoll World Forum 2024 meeting

Skoll World Forum 2024 meeting

What started with weekly meetings every Friday for an hour soon evolved into something much bigger. The APC began hosting wider Collective events which spotlighted individuals and organisations responding to the pandemic. Sub-groups were also established and led by others within the member base to drive collaborative solutions to specific priorities and gaps identified by those on the Continent.

Virtual Meeting on Vaccine Equity November 2020

Virtual Meeting on Vaccine Equity November 2020

With guidance from African health leaders, we were able to share information and better align funding to accelerate the response.

We focussed on the priorities of Africa CDC and the African Union, as outlined by the Founding Director John Nkengasong, and Special Envoy Strive Masiyiwa amongst others. Funds we mobilised and influenced from the network ensured that access to medical oxygen increased, more community health workers were supplied and supported, vaccines could be transported and administered and key institutions like Africa CDC and the Africa Public Health Foundation were strengthened.

While the emergency phase of this pandemic is behind us, the need and commitment to work together on African health priorities and emergencies has not diminished.

Africa's underlying burden of endemic diseases is the largest in the world. Infectious diseases play a particularly severe role on the continent. Every year they account for over 227 million years of health life lost and produce an annual productivity loss of over $800 billion. Moreover, outbreak-prone diseases are an increasingly devastating force. Of the estimated 10 million deaths per year resulting from infectious diseases, the majority occur in Africa.

We asked our members, including the Africa CDC, if the work of the collective should continue. The response was a clear yes.

We know the journey to stronger health systems will be a long one, requiring continuous learning and assessment of the role this platform can play.

Today, the Africa Partners Collective is a network of over a hundred philanthropies, governments, African agencies, and practitioners focussed on strengthening public health systems.

Guided by a Working Group of committed philanthropies, we bring opportunities for learning, collaboration, and co-investment in African initiatives to the widest possible network.

First in person meeting, with Precious Lunga and Wadzanayi Muchenje

First in person meeting, with Precious Lunga and Wadzanayi Muchenje

If you would like to join us, contact us.