African Business Coalition for Health takes on new malaria control role

Abuja, Oct. 3, 2024 – The African Business Coalition for Health (ABCHealth) has been appointed the new Secretariat for the Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA), the Coalition said in a press statement.

“This development marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards enhancing health systems across the continent, as we take on the stewardship of CAMA from the Global Business Coalition for Health (GBCHealth) in New York,” the statement added.

Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease kills more than 700,000 people in the world annually, mainly pregnant women and children under five. 

Africa accounts for about 90% of the more than 250 million annual cases, loss of millions of man-hours and more than US$12 billion in unearned income.

CAMA focuses on mobilising the private sector to drive impactful partnerships for malaria control and elimination in workplaces and communities.

It creates opportunities for the private sector to engage with peers and leaders from governments, NGOs, academia, and other sectors to scale impact in the fight against the disease.

Aliko Dangote, the Chairman and President of Dangote Industries Limited and Chairman of Aliko Dangote Foundation co-founded ABCHealth through the Foundation.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede is Chairman ABCHealth, Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group Limited.

“As the new Secretariat for CAMA, ABCHealth will build on the successes achieved over the past 17 years in providing value to its members in relevance and scaled impact in the fight against malaria,” the statement affirmed, adding that “the appointment is a key milestone in GBCHealth’s plan to transition its work to being fully African led.”

According to the statement, “placing the leadership and management of CAMA within ABCHealth is a testament to its Theory of Change in Cultivating Partnerships and Mobilising Private Sector resources to improve healthcare in Africa and change the way it works.”

ABCHealth works closely with Africa’s private sector leaders and global organisations to help improve the health and well-being of Africans.

“This new charge to lead CAMA and its esteemed member organisations and the wider Malaria ecosystem, to collaboratively control and eventually eliminate malaria across the (African) continent, is a responsibility that ABCHealth is proud to take on,” the statement added.

Aig-Imoukhuede, also the Founder and Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation said:

“The current challenges facing Africa’s healthcare, and its disproportionate disease burden reinforces the strong business case for private sector engagement in health. The transition of CAMA to ABCHealth is a further opportunity for partners in both public and private sectors to collaborate towards improved health outcomes across Africa.” 

Zouera Youssoufou, CEO of Aliko Dangote Foundation and Director, ABCHealth Board expressed delight at the development: “Our Principal and ABCHealth Co-Founder, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is also the Chair of the End-Malaria Council in Nigeria, looks forward to seeing a scaling up of the impact of CAMA in Africa now that the organisation will be fully led by Africans.” 

Mories Atoki, CEO of ABCHealth said: “Our Coalition is fully committed to moving CAMA further. We recognise the impact of members’ activities and look forward to working with all of them and new members in the coming year and beyond.

“We recognise the unwavering support of CAMA’s Leadership Council (Access Bank, Chevron, Aliko Dangote Foundation, and ExxonMobil during this transition and their continued commitment to the Alliance’s goal of a Malaria-free Africa,” she added.

Lesley-Anne Long, former President and CEO GBCHealth said: “CAMA has been one of GBCHealth’s flagship programmes for more than 15 years and we are delighted that its impactful work will continue through ABCHealth.      (GBN)