What We Do
Friends Africa represents a cohesive, multisectoral African voice in the fight and targets every sector that can aid in overcoming the three pandemics, including civil society, the private Sector and government. The organization also encourages the participation of all levels of society spanning influential African lawmakers/parliamentarians to vulnerable community members all over the continent. Friends Africa has a Pan-African Board of Directors, individuals who are credible, influential and committed to the fight against the three diseases. The board which is made up of prominent Africans/Africanists from the Private Sector, Government and Civil Society is strongly supported by an advisory board comprised of sound technocrats.
Together they assist the organization in achieving the goal of overcoming AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa. Friends Africa has a vision of an African continent free of AIDS, TB and Malaria and believes in Africans taking responsibility and achieving results in the fight against these three pandemics.
The Global Fund launched in 2002, has been at the forefront of responding to the continued public health threat posed by AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Since its inception, the Global Fund has supported efforts on local and international levels designed to respond to the ravaging effects of these diseases that claim six million people each year, or put differently, 16,000 each day. To stem this tide, the Global Fund has financed projects in over 136 countries and so far committed $7.6 billion in grants to public and private bodies involved in eradicating these diseases and educating communities to reduce the rate of infection.
However, unlike the principal fund, Friends Africa was created, not to finance projects, but with the aim of increasing and encouraging greater contributions and participation of African business leaders, political leaders, and members of civil society in supporting the activities of the Global Fund and optimizing the performance of its grants on the continent. Friends Africa is part of a broader community of Friends organizations which include Friends of the Global Fight USA, Friends of the Global Fund Japan and Amis du Fonds Mondial Europe. With its secretariat based in Lagos, Nigeria, Friends Africa actualizes its Pan-African mandate through its Pan-African Board and its experienced Regional Representatives who are based in the following regional economic communities: COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), SADC (Southern African Development Community) and ECCAS.