A coalition of leading global philanthropies has launched the Beginnings Fund, a transformative initiative designed to accelerate maternal and newborn survival across Africa.
The fund’s launch, hosted at Kanad Hospital in Abu Dhabi, brought together ministers of health from Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Zanzibar to mark the beginning of a bold partnership between philanthropists and African governments.
With an ambitious goal to prevent more than 300,000 deaths and improve access to quality care for 34 million mothers and newborns by 2030, the fund is positioned as a landmark in global health investment. It champions sustainability, local ownership, and targeted collaboration with national institutions, healthcare workers and communities.
The Beginnings Fund emerges from a broader philanthropic commitment of nearly $600 million for maternal and newborn survival, with $100 million earmarked directly for projects aligned with its mission. This initiative was catalysed by a significant grant from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, which unlocked matching support from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Delta Philanthropies, The ELMA Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others, including the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation and the Patchwork Collective.
Over the next five years, the fund will work alongside up to 10 African nations to build stronger health systems, invest in life-saving medical tools and innovations and train a capable health workforce to deliver quality care. Its focus will be on high-burden hospitals, referral systems and health centers where most maternal and newborn deaths occur – deaths that are largely preventable with timely, adequate care.
The initiative’s launch location, Kanad Hospital, holds symbolic significance, being the first modern hospital in Abu Dhabi, a city that has itself overcome similar health challenges in past decades. Speaking at the event, deputy chairman of the UAE Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised the UAE’s commitment to sharing its journey and supporting others.
“Through the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, we are honoured to support the Beginnings Fund. Our history reminds us that access to quality healthcare at every stage of life can transform nations. This partnership reflects our ongoing dedication to building a healthier future, especially for women and children,” he said.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, newborn deaths in the first month of life remain the leading cause of childhood mortality. Combined with high maternal mortality, where 70 per cent of global maternal deaths occur, these numbers reflect a crisis that remains solvable but underfunded. Without significant action, 182,000 women and 1.2 million newborns are projected to die each year in Africa from preventable causes, alongside an estimated 950,000 stillbirths.
“Mothers and newborns should not be dying from causes we already know how to prevent,” said Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr Mekdes Daba. “We all share the responsibility to build resilient health systems that can safeguard these lives. With the right innovations and investments, transformation is not only possible. It is urgent.”
The fund will invest in strengthening data systems, equipping healthcare facilities with low-cost, proven tools, and training health workers to provide respectful, lifesaving care. The countries initially targeted for collaboration include Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
According to the CEO of the Beginnings Fund, Alice Kang’ethe collaboration is central to the fund’s approach. “African governments and partners are making real progress in maternal and newborn health, but lasting change requires collaboration. I’m grateful to the governments, national organisations and investors who are part of this powerful movement.”
The initiative aligns closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those targeting maternal and child health. While many African countries have made impressive gains, experts agree that increased, strategic investment is essential to closing the gap.
Founder of CIFF, Sir Chris Hohn called the preventable loss of mothers and newborns “a tragedy that the world can no longer ignore.”
He said, “The Beginnings Fund can save millions of lives. But this must be just the beginning. To reach our goals, we need more global funders to step up and partner with governments to expand the reach of proven solutions.”
Delta Philanthropies CEO, Tanya Masiyiwa echoed that sentiment, noting the unprecedented unity of donors and national stakeholders. “We’ve seen the real impact of collective investment. The Beginnings Fund offers an opportunity to amplify that impact. We encourage other African philanthropies to join us.”
President of ELMA Philanthropies, Robyn Calder described the fund as a shift from periodic grant-making to strategic, large-scale impact. “Together, we aim to deliver not just funding but sustainable solutions that prevent the needless deaths of mothers and newborns. It’s about saving lives today and protecting future generations.”
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s CEO, Mark Suzman added that the solutions to maternal and newborn mortality already exist but often fail to reach the people who need them most. “We’re committed to addressing this gap and working alongside African partners to ensure every mother and baby survives.”
With this landmark coalition in place, the Beginnings Fund signals a renewed sense of urgency – and hope – for maternal and newborn survival in Africa. The next decade could mark a turning point, one in which collaborative, African-led strategies finally bring an end to preventable deaths and offer a healthier future for millions.
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