Equity Group Holdings and AMREF International University (AMIU) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing healthcare education, research, innovation, leadership development and entrepreneurship across Africa.
The partnership seeks to combine Equity’s financial expertise, healthcare investments and social impact programmes with AMIU’s strength in health education, research and community health to improve access to quality healthcare and strengthen health systems on the continent.
The collaboration brings together Equity Bank Kenya, Equity Group Foundation (EGF), Equity Afya and Equity Life Assurance Kenya (ELAK), alongside AMIU’s expertise in healthcare training, research and innovation.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO and Equity Group Foundation Executive Director, Dr James Mwangi, said the partnership would help address healthcare challenges through collaboration and specialised expertise.
“Health cuts across every sector because good health drives productivity, and productivity creates prosperity. We have invested significantly in expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare, but we recognise that achieving meaningful impact requires working with specialised institutions,” said Dr Mwangi.
He added that the partnership would support the development of healthcare entrepreneurs capable of creating sustainable health solutions.
“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.
AMIU Vice Chancellor Prof Joachim Osur said the partnership would help healthcare professionals transform their expertise into sustainable ventures that respond to community needs.
“The missing link has been transforming knowledge into monetised products through entrepreneurship. Many qualified healthcare professionals struggle to fully utilise their expertise because they rely solely on formal employment,” said Prof Osur.
He noted that strengthening primary healthcare would be key to improving health outcomes across Africa.
“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,” he added.
Under the agreement, AMIU will provide expertise in health education, curriculum development, research, innovation, mentorship, internships and professional training.
Equity Bank Kenya will support healthcare infrastructure financing and experiential learning opportunities, while Equity Group Foundation will focus on health entrepreneurship, community health programmes, climate and health initiatives, environmental conservation and humanitarian research.
Equity Life Assurance Kenya will contribute through insurance literacy programmes, expanded access to insurance solutions and technical risk management support.
The five-year partnership is expected to accelerate healthcare innovation, develop future health leaders and entrepreneurs, and expand access to quality healthcare by combining Equity Group’s financial ecosystem with AMIU’s healthcare expertise.
