Equity Group Holdings and AMREF International University (AMIU) have signed a five-year partnership to strengthen healthcare education, research, innovation, leadership development and entrepreneurship.
The move is aimed at improving access to quality healthcare across Africa.
The Memorandum of Understanding brings together the financial expertise of Equity Bank Kenya, the social impact experience of Equity Group Foundation and Equity Afya, the insurance capabilities of Equity Life Assurance Kenya, and the health education and research expertise of AMREF International University.
The partners said the collaboration will leverage their complementary strengths to advance healthcare education, research, entrepreneurship and community health programmes while building stronger health systems across the continent.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO and Equity Group Foundation Executive Director Dr James Mwangi said the partnership reflects Equity's commitment to strengthening health systems through collaboration with institutions that have deep expertise in the sector.
"Health cuts across every sector because good health drives productivity, and productivity creates prosperity," said Dr Mwangi.
He noted that Equity has invested significantly in expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare but acknowledged that collaboration with specialised institutions is essential to achieve lasting impact.
"This partnership brings together world-class expertise, research capability and decades of experience in healthcare, strengthening our ability to build a more effective healthcare ecosystem," he said.
Dr Mwangi described the agreement as "an African partnership" that represents "a new model of leadership built on collaboration".
He said the initiative will also address the business side of healthcare by equipping medical professionals with entrepreneurial skills.
"Doctors and other healthcare professionals are highly skilled practitioners, but entrepreneurship requires a different set of competencies. Together, we want to develop healthcare entrepreneurs who can establish and grow sustainable health facilities supported by innovative financing solutions," he said.
AMREF International University Vice Chancellor Prof Joachim Osur said the partnership seeks to address one of Africa's biggest healthcare challenges by helping health professionals turn their knowledge into sustainable businesses.
"The missing link has been transforming knowledge into monetised products through entrepreneurship," said Prof Osur.
He said many healthcare professionals struggle to fully utilise their expertise because they depend solely on formal employment.
"Through this partnership, we will equip them with the entrepreneurial skills needed to build sustainable healthcare businesses while responding to the healthcare needs of our communities," he added.
Prof Osur said strengthening primary healthcare will have a far-reaching impact across the continent.
"Nearly 80 per cent of Africans seek healthcare at the primary healthcare level. If we transform primary healthcare, we will transform healthcare across the continent while promoting greater equity in access to health services. This partnership gives us an opportunity to achieve that together," he said.
Under the agreement, AMREF International University will provide expertise in health education, research, curriculum development, capacity building and healthcare innovation. The university will also offer opportunities for internships, mentorship, scientific collaboration and professional training.
Equity Bank Kenya will support healthcare infrastructure financing and experiential learning opportunities.
Equity Group Foundation will work with the university on health entrepreneurship, curriculum development, community health, climate and health initiatives, environmental conservation and humanitarian research. Equity Life Assurance Kenya will promote insurance literacy, expand access to insurance solutions and provide technical risk management support.
The five-year collaboration is expected to strengthen healthcare leadership, accelerate innovation, foster health entrepreneurship and expand access to quality healthcare by combining Equity Group's integrated ecosystem with AMREF International University's expertise in health education, research and community health across Africa.
