A coalition of philanthropic organisations and government agencies has launched the Beginnings Fund, a $500 million health initiative to address maternal and neonatal mortality across sub-Saharan Africa. The fund, unveiled in early 2025, represents one of the most ambitious multi-donor efforts focused on improving outcomes for mothers and newborns in some of the world’s most underserved regions.

The fund is spearheaded by Delta Philanthropies, an African-rooted international foundation established by the Masiyiwa family. Tsitsi Masiyiwa, co-founder of Delta Philanthropies and executive chairperson of the Higherlife Foundation, is a driving force behind the initiative. Having worked intensively for over a year to mobilise philanthropic and institutional partners, she played a pivotal role in the fund’s conception and launch.

The inspiration for the fund stemmed from a moment of collective grief. During a virtual meeting with partners at The ELMA Philanthropies, participants were deeply moved by a tragic report detailing the death of triplets born in a health facility lacking basic maternal and neonatal support. One participant, overcome with emotion, asked: “What can we do?” That question became the catalyst for what is now a continent-wide intervention. Rather than merely lamenting the tragedy, the group turned to strategy—building a sustainable, pooled fund to drive systemic impact.

Founding partners include the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Patchwork Collective, the Horace W. Smith Foundation, and the aforementioned ELMA Philanthropies. Governments and Ministries of Health from several African nations are also closely involved, signalling strong alignment with national health priorities.

The Beginnings Fund targets some of the leading causes of neonatal and maternal mortality, including sepsis, birth complications, and inadequate antenatal care. According to the World Health Organization, over 70% of global maternal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Equally, neonatal mortality remains stubbornly high, with millions of babies dying in the first month of life due to largely preventable conditions.

The initiative’s goal is to channel resources to where they are needed most—underserved communities, rural health clinics, and frontline health systems—through strategic partnerships and direct investment. The fund will support local capacity building, improve the availability of life-saving medical supplies, and fund innovations in maternal care delivery.

Beyond capital, the fund’s unique power lies in its coalition model. By pooling philanthropic and institutional resources, the fund can support larger-scale interventions with shared accountability. The inclusion of Ministries of Health is especially significant, as it aligns the fund’s investments with national strategies and ensures local ownership.

Speaking on the launch, Tsitsi Masiyiwa noted, “Compassion must move us to action. This fund is about acting strategically, and in unity, to address one of the most pressing health challenges of our time.” Her vision reflects the Masiyiwa family’s broader philanthropic ethos: to combine empathy with high-impact investment in education and health.

The Beginnings Fund builds upon the legacy of the Higherlife Foundation, which operates extensively in Zimbabwe and across Africa. Since its founding, Higherlife has supported hundreds of thousands of students and health workers, with a focus on sustainable development goals.

This fund comes at a critical moment. Health systems in many African countries continue to struggle with chronic underinvestment, supply shortages, and workforce deficits. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these vulnerabilities, making maternal and newborn care even more precarious.

Yet, amid these challenges, the Beginnings Fund offers a hopeful trajectory. It demonstrates that philanthropy, when coordinated and locally informed, can catalyse systemic change. With effective governance, transparency, and a deep-rooted commitment to the lives of mothers and children, the fund represents a meaningful step forward in Africa’s public health journey.

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