In a landmark effort to bolster global health, 14 African countries, along with key international partners, have pledged over $45 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) during its inaugural Investment Round. This three-month-old initiative seeks to secure sustainable financing for WHO, ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of global health efforts. The pledges were made during the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, where heads of state and government emphasized the critical need for robust investment in global health and a strong WHO.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed gratitude for the support from African Member States. “I thank our African Region Member States for actively supporting WHO’s first Investment Round to mobilize predictable and flexible resources needed for our core work over the next four years,” he said. “Full, sustainable funding will enable WHO to support countries better in their work to build healthier, more resilient, and more prosperous populations.”
The event marked a historic moment as African nations and partners unified to ensure WHO can effectively fulfill its mandate. The participating countries included Botswana, Cabo Verde, Chad, Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, and the United Republic of Tanzania. Alongside these nations, several partners, including the Helmsley Charitable Trust, World Diabetes Foundation, Roche, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, African Development Bank, and the WHO Foundation, made commitments or pledged to support later in the year.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “A strong, predictable, and sustainably financed WHO is essential for our region and the world to meet the multiple health threats we face; and support the prevention of disease based on the vast evidence at our disposal. Every pledge and every partnership counts. Together, we can achieve a future where health and well-being are accessible to all.”
The WHO Investment Round, which was launched at the World Health Assembly in May 2024, aims to secure contributions that are flexible, predictably provided at the start of each four-year budget cycle, and resilient through diversification of donor sources. The initiative will continue in the coming months, featuring key pledging events globally to further advance WHO’s strategic goals.
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