Strengthening institutions in critical sectors for sustainable development
Strong institutions in health, research, and essential services shape development outcomes across Africa.
Public health systems, biomedical research institutions, animal health networks, and water and sanitation systems play a central role in improving livelihoods, supporting economic productivity, and advancing social development. Many institutions across these sectors continue to face constraints that limit their ability to deliver sustainable solutions.
Institutional performance depends on the strength of governance systems, technical capacity, and knowledge networks.
At ACBF, we strengthen the institutional capacity of organizations working in public health, biomedical research, animal health, and water and sanitation systems across Africa.
Our work contributes directly to Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals by supporting stronger institutions, improved service delivery, and evidence-based policymaking.
Where The Challenge Lies
Institutions across critical sectors face structural and capacity constraints that limit performance.
Many public and animal health institutions operate with limited governance systems, research infrastructure, and technical capacity.
Research institutions face challenges in generating knowledge and translating scientific evidence into practical solutions. Weak coordination among research institutions, civil society organizations, and policymakers slows policy development and implementation.
These constraints affect development outcomes directly. Public health challenges and livestock diseases continue to affect livelihoods, food systems, and economic productivity.
Limited institutional capacity reduces the ability to respond effectively to these challenges and to deliver sustainable services.
These challenges require coordinated and sustained capacity development to strengthen institutional systems and improve outcomes across sectors.
What We Do Differently
This approach strengthens institutional performance and enables organizations to deliver sustainable solutions.
ACBF strengthens institutions across critical sectors through targeted capacity development, institutional support, and knowledge exchange. We focus on:
Strengthening governance frameworks and operational systems within partner institutions
Building professional and technical capacity to support research, policy engagement, and service delivery
Supporting knowledge generation and the translation of evidence into policy and practice
Promoting collaboration across institutions, sectors, and countries
How We Work: A Systems Active Approach
ACBF delivers this work through targeted initiatives that strengthen institutional systems, professional capacity, and knowledge networks. Key initiatives include:
Impact in Numbers
Across Africa, the program is delivering measurable results:
Sub-grantees supported through WAAVP-AN with $1.5 million in research funding.
Participants engaged through a Community of Practice to strengthen knowledge exchange and collaboration
Knowledge-sharing events delivered under SPIA, reaching 45 institutional actors.
Civil society organizations and 3 regional hubs supported to advance tobacco control policies
Policy dialogues conducted, reaching over 100 tobacco control actors and policymakers
AfCFTA-related studies produced supporting evidence-based tobacco control policy engagement
Country-level impact includes:
Ghana, South Africa, and regional institutions:
Multiple African countries:
Beyond institutional support, ACBF is also investing in system-wide enablers. Continental networks such as WAAVP-AN strengthen collaboration among researchers, expand knowledge exchange, and improve capacity to address animal health and public health challenges.
Beyond sector support: enabling institutional resilience
This work is about more than strengthening individual institutions.
It is about enabling organizations to:
- Improve governance and operational performance
- Strengthen research and knowledge systems
- Enhance policy engagement and evidence-based decision-making
- Deliver services that address development challenges
In doing so, ACBF supports a shift from fragmented institutional efforts to coordinated, resilient systems that sustain long-term impact.
