Strive Masiyiwa Backs New US$500 Million Fund to Tackle Maternal and Infant Mortality in Africa
Philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa, alongside his wife Tsitsi Masiyiwa, has joined forces with global organizations to launch a US$500 million fund aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths in sub-Saharan Africa.
Announced on April 29 in Abu Dhabi, the initiative, called the Beginnings Fund, will provide lifesaving healthcare services, focusing on affordable treatments, improved hospital staffing and direct health investments in multiple African countries.
The project comes at a time when international aid for healthcare has declined, prompting urgent action from philanthropic leaders.
Alice Kang’ethe, CEO of the Beginnings Fund, emphasized that the initiative will work collaboratively with African governments, health experts and local organizations, ensuring sustainable solutions rather than external interventions.
The fund aims to save 300,000 mothers and newborns by 2030 while enhancing healthcare access for 34 million women and children.
Additionally, partners have pledged an extra US$100 million for direct maternal and child health investments, strengthening its impact.
Countries set to benefit from the initiative include Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, where maternal and newborn mortality remains a major health challenge.
The focus will be on tackling leading causes of maternal and infant deaths, such as childbirth complications, infections and neonatal respiratory distress.
According to Pindula, the initiative is backed by major philanthropic organizations, including the Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, Gates Foundation, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Delta Philanthropies, and ELMA Foundation.
The fund’s headquarters will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Masiyiwa took to Facebook to congratulate his wife, Tsitsi Masiyiwa, for her dedication in mobilizing philanthropic partners for the initiative.
He praised her efforts in securing commitments that will help transform maternal healthcare across Africa.
With maternal and infant mortality remaining a critical issue, the Beginnings Fund aims to drive lasting change by strengthening healthcare systems and ensuring that mothers and newborns receive quality medical care when they need it most.
