Africa Health Initiative

Girl in malaria bed net

In Abuja, Nigeria, in April 2000, African Heads of State signed the Abuja Declaration on Roll Back Malaria in Africa.  Among other things they committed themselves to an intensive effort to halve the mortality for Africa's people by 2010.  

To support Africa's progress towards these public health goals, ExxonMobil established the Africa Health Initiative in 2000 to fund and support activities related to the prevention, control and treatment of malaria in Africa.  

Since then and through year-end 2007, ExxonMobil will have spent more than $40 million to help fund programs to tackle malaria at an individual community level, programs to promote the research and development of new drugs, and projects to advocate for awareness and support internationally.

The reach of the Africa Health Initiative is throughout sub-Saharan Africa but the priority focus for major community projects is in countries where ExxonMobil has significant operations and is an existing member of the community.  

The specific objectives of the Africa Health Initiative are:

  • To help governments and health service providers lessen the burden of malaria in Africa in line with the stated health goals of African host governments.
  • To improve the quality of life for Africans at risk by reducing the impact of malaria.
  • To help strengthen the capacity of indigenous health service providers and non-government organizations so as to promote sustainability of efforts to manage the malaria pandemic.
  • To strengthen and enhance ExxonMobil's community relationships by helping to improve the quality of life by contributing funds, resources and expertise in an area of significant community need.

ExxonMobil is a major supporter of Roll Back Malaria, the global partnership that was founded by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UNICEF and the World Bank with the goal of halving the world's malaria burden by 2010.  ExxonMobil serves as one of the two private sector representatives on the Roll Back Malaria board.

“Our partnership with ExxonMobil aims to build the next generation of medical leaders in Africa who will continue the fight against malaria.”

Dr. Merle Sande, President, Academic Alliance Foundation