Africa Health Research and Innovation Funders Forum
Multiplying the impact of health funding across Africa
AHRIFF brings together funders, researchers, and innovators to align resources, close funding gaps, and build sustainable health ecosystems across the continent.
What we do
Closing the gap between research, development, and finance
AHRIFF is the premier convening platform for health research funders working in Africa. Each annual meeting brings together philanthropic agencies, government bodies, development finance institutions and African investors to address the most pressing challenges in health financing.
Billions of dollars flow into African health each year, yet duplication, siloed decision-making and priorities set outside the continent undermine collective impact. The Forum creates a structured space where funders can identify overlap, explore co-investment, and build the collaborative relationships that African science requires.
2025 theme
“How can we ensure a multiplier impact of funding?” — explored in Cape Town, 5–7 November 2025, hosted by the South African Medical Research Council.
Who attends
Local and global philanthropic agencies, government funders, development finance institutions, ODA agencies, African venture capital, angel investors, and African financial and empowerment institutions.
Meeting format
Plenary talks, panel discussions, 1:1 interviews, pre-recorded contributions and six call-to-action sessions on priority challenges — designed to produce commitments, not passive listening.
Priority areas
Key topics from the 2025 forum
01.
Alignment of Funding
Greater coordination among funders is needed to avoid fragmented efforts and maximize impact in strategic areas such as vaccines, AI, climate, and pandemic preparedness.
02.
Innovative Financing Mechanisms
New funding models are required to bridge the “valley of death” and help innovations move from research to implementation.
03.
Entrepreneurship in Africa
Strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems can reduce dependence on external funding and support sustainable health innovation.
04.
Building scale
Mechanisms such as pooled procurement and partnerships with private and faith-based sectors can create demand and accelerate market growth.
05.
Market Shaping for Local Manufacturing
Sustainable pharmaceutical and health-product manufacturing requires demand guarantees, regulatory harmonization, and investment incentives.
06.
Crossing the Valley of Death
Better integration of grants, private investment, and business development support is essential to transform promising ideas into scalable enterprises.
Funding Alignment
Entrepreneurship & Ecosystems
Innovative Financing
Local Manufacturing
Our Impact
Building Multiplier Impact Through Collaboration
The African Health Research Innovation Funders Forum (AHRIFF) provides a platform where funders, governments, investors, and research institutions work together to accelerate African-led health innovation.
- Strengthening partnerships across sectors and regions.
- Supporting sustainable and scalable health solutions.
- Promoting innovative financing and entrepreneurship.
- Advancing local manufacturing and health sovereignty.
NewsRoom
Latest from the Forum
Where Africa’s Health Funders Align
Africa does not just need more health funding. It needs smarter funding. Where Africa’s Health Funders Align Since its first
Africa does not just need more health funding. It needs smarter funding.
Africa does not just need more health funding. It needs smarter funding. Africa does not just need more health funding.
