Gates Foundation among partners in $655m health effort targeting mothers, newborns in sub-Saharan Africa

The Beginnings Fund aims to save the lives of 300,000 mothers and newborn babies by 2030. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Apr 29, 2025, 06:57 PM

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LONDON – A group of philanthropies, including the Gates Foundation, has set up a fund backed with nearly US$500 million (S$655 million) to help save the lives of newborn babies and mothers in sub-Saharan Africa, standing out against a bleak global health funding landscape.

The Beginnings Fund was launched on April 29 in Abu Dhabi, home of another key backer – the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) recently established Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity.

The project has been in the works for at least a year. But its role has become more important as governments worldwide follow the United States in pulling back from international aid, its chief executive Alice Kang’ethe told Reuters.

“It is an opportune moment,” she said earlier in April, stressing that the fund aims to work alongside African governments, experts and organisations rather than parachuting in experts or technologies. This approach, she noted, differs from many traditional donor programmes.

Said Ms Tala Al Ramahi at the Mohamed Bin Fayed Foundation: “Two generations ago… women in the UAE used to die during childbirth. More than half of the children did not survive past childhood.”

She added that the lessons learnt in what worked to change those outcomes would help inform the effort.

The Beginnings Fund aims to save the lives of 300,000 mothers and newborn babies by 2030, and expand quality care for 34 million mothers and babies.

The partners also pledged US$100 million in direct investments in maternal and child health, separate from the fund.