ABCHEALTH, UNAIDS SIGN PARTNERSHIP MOU TO IMPROVE HEALTH IN AFRICA

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday May 5, 2022
Lagos, Nigeria

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the African Business Coalition for Health (ABCHealth) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner on joint initiatives that will improve access to quality healthcare across Africa.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Erasmus Morah, UNAIDS Country Director and Dr. Mories Atoki, ABCHealth Chief Executive Officer on Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Lagos Nigeria. It covers the areas of cooperation which captures UNAIDS’ strategic priorities as articulated in its Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026 as well as ABCHealth’s strategic priority of leveraging partnerships to drive sustainable development in Africa’s health space.

Speaking, Dr. Morah said; “I am delighted to sign this MoU between the UNAIDS Country Office for Nigeria and ABCHealth, to signify the growing partnership between our two organizations. We both share the common goal of playing a more enhanced role in Nigeria’s HIV and health sector response, to accelerate equitable access to care, address institutional barriers to social justice and mobilize stakeholders in more fully resourcing for health. I eagerly look forward to using the opportunity of our new relationship to reduce inequalities that increase people’s vulnerability and put communities at the center of the response to HIV, including on other health challenges such as COVID-19.”

Zouera Youssoufou, Chief Executive Officer of Aliko Dangote Foundation and Board Director of ABCHealth spoke about the potential benefits of the partnership between ABCHealth and UNAIDS. She said, “Since inception, we have been building the coalition into a powerful force that can make real impact by translating words into action. Africa’s health and healthcare industry needs to be reformed and developed and Africa’s private sector must play its part; COVID-19 revealed this much. However, leaving this responsibility to governments alone is not realistic –– ABCHealth provides a platform that responsible corporates, businesses, philanthropists, and development institutions can trust to support their commitment to transforming the continent’s health space.”

Dr. Mories Atoki, the Chief Executive Officer of ABCHealth concluded saying; “Africa’s health sector is about to experience a significant shift due to the increasing interest that critical stakeholders in both the private and public sectors are showing to enhance health outcomes and improve livelihoods. We therefore urge businesses who truly believe in the health and wealth of Africa to join our Coalition so that we can achieve the desired impact.”

— END —

About ABCHealth

ABCHealth is a coalition of businesses, philanthropists and development institutions that collectively seek greater private sector contribution towards Africa’s health needs at national, regional and continental levels.

The Coalition will develop and deploy impactful health programs across Africa, deepen knowledge, building evidence for future investments and strengthen coordination among African business leaders, companies, philanthropists and global business networks for coordinated action on health.

Aliko Dangote is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, and Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation through which he Co-Founded ABCHealth.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede is Co-Founder and Chairman, ABCHealth & Founder and Chairman, Coronation Capital Limited.

Mories Atoki (Dr.) is the Chief Executive Officer of ABCHealth.

About UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.