Published: 23 September 2022

An opportunity remains for more support to reach the $18B target for a fully resourced Global Fund

The African Leaders Malaria Alliance applauds partners for their contributions to the replenishment of the Global Fund to End AIDS, TB, and Malaria at the recently concluded pledging conference. While the US$14.25 billion pledged so far did not meet the US $18 billion ask, it will go a long way to boost global partnerships and demonstrates universal solidarity to end these diseases, strengthen health systems and enhance pandemic preparedness and response in the next three years. Held on the margins of the UN General Assembly, the conference brought together more than 45 countries (including 18 Heads of State and Government), multilateral partners, private sector companies, civil society and community-based organisations. The investment aims to save 20 million lives, avert 450 million new infections, and bring new hope for ending AIDS, TB and malaria. It also seeks to strengthen health and community systems to leave no one behind and build resilience to future shocks. This is critical in the race to meet the bold and ambitious targets set by Africa’s Heads of State and Government to end AIDS, TB and Malaria.

In the recent past, African countries have stepped up efforts in domestic resource mobilisation. Over the last two years alone, millions of United States Dollars have been raised through multi-sectoral End Malaria Councils and Funds to rid the continent of malaria which has been side tracking Africa’s socio-economic and transformational roadmap, Agenda 2063. Similarly, these countries rose to support the replenishment, with several of them making commitments to the Global Fund.

The successful campaign demonstrates the importance of sustained African leadership to address the broader health and development Agenda. African Heads of State and Government in February 2022 held a Preparatory Meeting co-hosted by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of Senegal and Republic of South Africa to push for the Replenishment. This was a follow up action of the African Union Assembly Decision that pushed for the full replenishment of the Global Fund.

Earlier this year, the United States committed to contribute US$6 billion over the next three years, a 30% increase over the last Replenishment, in line with the Global Fund Investment Case. Several other long-term public donors increased their pledges by 30%: Canada pledged CA$1.21 billion; the European Commission pledged €715 million; the Federal Republic of Germany pledged €1.3 billion; and Japan pledged up to US$1.08 billion. The Republic of France also significantly increased their pledge to nearly €1.6 billion. The United Kingdom, currently the Global Fund’s third largest donor, and Republic of Italy restated their support for the crucial work of the Global Fund and committed to pledge in the coming weeks.  We urge these two countries to follow the example of others and to pledge an increased commitment, building on their historic strong development support to build a better world for everyone and protect the most vulnerable.

Several partners increased their commitments by more than 30% on their Sixth Replenishment pledges. The Republic of Korea showed remarkable commitment by quadrupling their pledge from US$25 million to US$100 million, and Kenya increased their pledge by two-thirds from US$6 million to US$10 million. Many more donors also increased their pledges by 30%.

With more than US$1.23 billion raised from private donors, the private sector has hit a new record of funding committed to the Global Fund. Led by a 20% increase from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and with (RED)’s pledge of US$150 million, another 19 organizations and long-standing partners including the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, as well as Johnson & Johnson and Anglo American, pledged this unprecedented total.

Twenty implementing partner countries – 18 from the African continent – also pledged their support, with a significant number increasing their pledges. Implementing country leaders also emphasized the importance of sustaining and increasing domestic investments in health, a critical commitment to the achievement of the Global Fund partnership’s path towards ending these epidemics.

The African Leaders Malaria Alliance is confident that various efforts will be made to ensure that a fully funded Global Fund budget is achieved, to sustain healthier lives and transform our communities.