UNFPA, together with the Government of Kenya, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and Aga Khan University, launch the WomenX Collective Nairobi Hub to transform women’s health through innovation

Nairobi, Kenya – In a bold move to redefine the future of women’s health, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in close partnership with the Government of Kenya, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and Aga Khan University, launched the WomenX Collective Nairobi Hub, a pivotal initiative to accelerate women-centred innovation across Africa and beyond.

Together, these partners aim to build a global innovation hub based in Africa, advancing women’s health and accelerating progress towards gender equity in health systems worldwide.

The launch event, held at Aga Khan University, brought together public health leaders, innovators, development partners and private sector champions in a united call to action: to invest in bold solutions, drive systemic change and ensure that every woman and girl has access to the healthcare she needs – and deserves.

A strategic shift for women’s health

The Nairobi Hub builds on the successful launch of the Berlin Hub in 2024, extending the reach of the global WomenX Collective network. The initiative is focused on fast-tracking solutions that address persistent health inequities – from digital tools and diagnostics to new models of care and catalytic financing.

“Every minute, at least two women die globally from breast or cervical cancer, or from pregnancy-related complications due to inequitable access to healthcare,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA. “Through the WomenX Collective Nairobi Hub, UNFPA and our partners aim to invest in and scale transformative solutions to close critical health gaps and ensure that women and girls everywhere can access the care they deserve and that is their right.”

With initial funding commitments from international donors – including the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and Organon, among others – the WomenX Collective aims to mobilize $100 million in catalytic investment by 2030 and leverage financing to scale innovative solutions. This programme has the potential to avert at least 10.4 million unintended pregnancies, 3.2 million unsafe abortions and 21,000 maternal deaths. Through its hubs and partnerships, the programme is uniquely positioned to bring together experience and technical expertise from across countries and regions, as well as modern technologies and sustainable financing.

Nairobi: A regional innovation epicenter

The Nairobi Hub will serve as a platform to unite research, scalable technologies and innovative financing strategies across Africa. With its proximity to a thriving ecosystem of health and tech innovators, Nairobi plays a central role in delivering sustainable impact for women and girls.

Partners highlighted the initiative’s transformational potential:

• Dr. Mazyanga Lucy Mazaba, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention: “This initiative is a call to action to ensure women are not just beneficiaries, but drivers of Africa’s health progress.”
   
• Dr. Mohamed Sheikh, National Council for Population and Development: “It underscores the importance of empowering women and girls as a foundation for sustainable development.”
   
• Dr. Salim Virani, Aga Khan University: “Together, we will scale evidence-based, sustainable solutions that deliver real impact.”

From moment to movement

The launch event featured opening remarks from senior leaders, a ceremonial ribbon cutting and a powerful panel on unlocking women’s health potential through innovation. The energy in the room reflected Kenya’s leadership in health equity –  and the growing momentum for transformative, cross-sector collaboration.

Dr. Nigina Muntean, Chief of the Innovation and Transformation Branch at UNFPA, captured the ambition of the new hub: “The Nairobi Hub is more than a location. In close collaboration with the WomenX Berlin Hub, it’s a commitment to drive lasting change through the power of women-centred innovation. Every dollar invested today unlocks exponential returns for future generations.”

What’s next

Building on the momentum of the launch, UNFPA and its partners will continue to explore opportunities to deepen collaboration, mobilize diverse forms of capital and expand the reach of women-centred innovation. 

The Nairobi Hub will serve as a catalyst for new partnerships, research and engagement, anchored in a shared commitment to equity, impact and sustainability.Together, we will nurture a dynamic ecosystem where promising ideas can grow, where innovation responds to real needs and where women and girls are at the heart of every solution.

The Nairobi Hub marks not just a launch, but the beginning of a movement. A movement where women and girls are not an afterthought, but the starting point of innovation. A movement that believes when we invest in women’s health, we invest in stronger, more resilient futures for all.

💡 Learn more about the WomenX Collective.

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