Khadijah Aliyu-Nigeria
Dakar, Senegal — The African Vaccination Foundation (AFRIVAC) hosted a large-scale charity dinner at the King Fahd Palace in Dakar, raising CFA 50 million to support vaccination programmes for children across Africa.
The event brought together a wide range of private sector actors, international partners, policymakers, civil society leaders, and influential public figures, all united by a shared commitment to strengthening children’s health and vaccination systems on the continent.
Speaking at the event, members of AFRIVAC’s Board of Directors emphasized the urgent need for Africa to reduce its reliance on external funding for vaccines. One of the board members stated that Africa must move toward an endogenous and innovative financing model anchored on local resource mobilization and strong public-private partnerships.
“We can no longer depend exclusively on external funding. It is time to build a sustainable model that strengthens Africa’s health sovereignty,” the board member said, adding that every contribution made represents “a brick in the edifice of our health sovereignty.”
The initiative aligns with the vision of Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Chair of AFRIVAC, who has consistently advocated for sustainable local financing mechanisms to ensure long-term access to vaccines for African children.
Representing the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr. Ibrahima Sy, the Secretary General of the Ministry, Mr. Serigne Mbaye, reiterated the government’s support for AFRIVAC’s mission. He described vaccination as a strategic investment in the continent’s future and commended the foundation’s public-private partnership model.
“Every contribution, every commitment, brings us closer to a future where every African child has access to vaccination,” he said.
AFRIVAC disclosed that the procurement of vaccines and vaccination supplies will be conducted through internationally recognized mechanisms involving the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and SEN-Pharmacie Nationale d’Approvisionnement, in line with global standards.
The foundation expressed gratitude to all donors, partners, participants, and performing artists — including Philip Monteiro, Carlou D, Saint Rick, and Bideew Bou Bess — for their support and dedication to advancing health equity in Africa.
AFRIVAC noted that the funds raised will enable a concrete response to urgent vaccination needs and further reinforce Africa’s path toward health sovereignty through sustainable, locally driven solutions.