A pregnant woman attends an antenatal care visit at a health facility. Photo: AI-generated illustration by OpenA
Kenya has entered into a long-term partnership with the Beginnings Fund to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths by strengthening the country’s health system and expanding access to quality care.
The agreement brings together the Government of Kenya and the Beginnings Fund, a philanthropic partnership backed by a coalition of global donors, including the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, the Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Delta Philanthropies and The ELMA Foundation.
The partnership will focus on improving maternal and newborn health services by supporting the health workforce, equipping facilities with essential tools and helping ensure women and babies receive timely, quality care.
Although Kenya has made progress in reducing maternal and newborn mortality, preventable deaths remain a significant public health challenge, particularly in underserved communities where access to skilled care is often limited.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement, H.E. Dr. Shamma Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Acting Director General of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, said the initiative reflects confidence in Kenya’s leadership to improve health outcomes for mothers and newborns.
“Every birth should be a moment of hope, yet every day mothers and newborns die from causes we know how to prevent. Kenya has set out a clear national vision to change that, and we are proud to support that leadership through the Beginnings Fund. By working alongside governments and partners to strengthen the health workforce and equip health facilities with the tools needed to deliver quality maternal and newborn care, we can help ensure more mothers and babies receive the care they need when they need it most,” she said.
The Beginnings Fund said the partnership is designed to reinforce government-led efforts rather than create parallel systems, with investments directed towards strengthening national health services.
Faustina Fynn-Nyame, Executive Director of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), said lasting improvements depend on governments leading the way while development partners align behind shared priorities.
“No mother or newborn should die from causes we know how to prevent. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s efforts to improve maternal and newborn survival and expand access to quality care. We commend the Government of Kenya for its leadership and commitment to prioritising the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies. Sustainable progress is achieved when governments lead, partners align behind shared goals, and investments strengthen national health systems,” she said.
Dr. Paulin Basinga, Africa Director at the Gates Foundation, said the agreement demonstrates how catalytic philanthropy can complement government leadership to address persistent gaps in maternal and newborn healthcare.
The Beginnings Fund supports African governments in ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths.
During its first phase, running from 2026 to 2031, the initiative will work across 10 African countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zanzibar, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
The Fund aims to prevent more than 300,000 maternal and newborn deaths while improving access to quality healthcare for 34 million mothers and babies across participating countries.
As of July 2026, it had mobilised US$495.4 million towards its US$525 million fundraising target.
The Kenya agreement marks the start of what both the government and the Fund describe as a long-term collaboration to ensure more women give birth safely and more newborns survive their first weeks of life.
