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Transforming health through African unity

WHO WE ARE

About us

Launched in March 2025: A collaboration among Amref Health Africa (the Secretariat), Speak Up Africa– based in Senegal, South African Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition (SAHTAC)- based in South Africa, and Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD) – based in Kenya.

The alliance aims to strengthen Africa’s Research, Development & Innovation policy, and resource capacity to accelerate the development of, access to, and uptake of innovations with the highest potential for health impact.

AHRIDA works across three pillars:

Financing:

Increased commitments for domestic and Official Development Assistance funding for health HRD&I that addresses Africa’s health priorities.

Capacity building:

Increased funding to research institutions for the development of the needed human capital to accelerate HRD&I in Africa, and a diversity of opportunities for technical collaboration.

Product Introduction:

Increased uptake of health innovations, both existing and under development that meet priority health needs for African populations.

Why we exist

We’re improving health research, development and innovation, one entity at a time. Africa has immense potential to take the lead in global health – with its rich biodiversity, human capacity and unique insights, the continent is poised to make groundbreaking contributions, yet health research, development, and innovation (HRD&I) efforts on the continent remain underfunded, fragmented, and often externally driven. AHRIDA exists to change that. By uniting regional advocacy coalitions, aligning policy efforts, and mobilizing resources, AHRIDA addresses the systemic gaps that limit Africa’s ability to lead in health innovation.

When African research is led by Africans, it helps break the cycle of brain drain and unlocks new opportunities for homegrown talent to thrive. By strengthening health research and innovation, countries can move beyond dependence on raw materials and agriculture—laying the foundation for knowledge-based economies that drive long-term growth, prosperity, and resilience across the continent.

The Alliance works to strengthen local ownership, enhance coordination, and drive the uptake of African-developed solutions — ensuring the continent’s health challenges are met with African-led, globally relevant responses and solutions.

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Our misson

The Alliance’s mission is to accelerate the development of and equitable access to African-led, health innovations by driving resource mobilization, enhancing local research, development and innovation capacity, and multisectoral collaboration.

Our vision for Africa

We envision  Africa as a globally competitive continent in Health Research, Development and Innovation (HRD&I).

Through reducing dependency on external technologies and reversing brain drain, AHRIDA aims to help build a knowledge-based economy that empowers nations and improves lives.

AHRIDA operates across East, West, and Southern Africa through a robust network of regional partners, with a growing presence in national policy spaces, research institutions, and grassroots initiatives. And as we grow, we know we’ll operate across the entire continent.

Our story

Separate, we do well. But together, we accelerate change.

Across Africa, remarkable organizations are leading the charge in health research, advocacy, and innovation. On our own, we’ve made powerful strides. But united under AHRIDA, our collective impact reaches further and resonates louder.  AHRIDA was born from the collective efforts of leading advocacy coalitions across Africa: CHReaD (East Africa), SAHTAC (Southern Africa), and Speak Up Africa (West Africa).

Each with deep roots in regional health innovation ecosystems, we united to form a stronger voice for Africa-led and owned health research and development. We’re advancing a future where African solutions lead global health progress. Together, we amplify African voices, drive policy reform, and champion homegrown solutions.

Meet the forces behind the movement: