AFRIVAC has rallied the private sector to support child vaccination in Senegal, raising CFA50 million worth of supplies for the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene at a high-level charity dinner held in Dakar.

The fundraising event brought together private companies, international partners, civil society actors and influential figures united by a shared commitment to children’s health in Africa.

By the end of the evening, contributions from companies, partner organisations, committed citizens and public figures had reached a total of CFA50 million. The funds will be used to procure vaccines and essential vaccination supplies to address priority needs identified by the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene.

In line with international standards, the acquisition process will be carried out through a coordinated mechanism involving the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and Senegal’s National Supply Pharmacy (SEN-Pharmacie Nationale d’Approvisionnement), ensuring transparency, quality assurance and effective delivery.

Beyond the financial contribution, the event sent a strong message about Africa’s growing push for health self-reliance. Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Chair of the AFRIVAC Board of Directors, underscored the importance of moving away from over-dependence on external funding. “We can no longer depend exclusively on external funding; it is time to build an endogenous, innovative model based on the mobilization of local resources and public-private partnerships,” she said.

Her remarks echoed AFRIVAC’s broader vision of strengthening Africa’s health sovereignty through sustainable domestic financing. The organisation promotes public-private partnerships as a way to ensure long-term, locally driven support for vaccination programmes across the continent.

Representing the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr. Ibrahima Sy, the Secretary General of the Ministry, Mr. Serigne Mbaye, also highlighted the collective responsibility behind the initiative. “Every contribution, every commitment is a brick in the edifice of our health sovereignty,” he said, calling on more private actors to invest in preventive health.

AFRIVAC expressed gratitude to all donors, partners and participants who made the event a success, as well as to the artistes who performed during the evening, including Philip Monteiro, Carlou D, Saintrick and Bideew Bou Bess. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to a future where “every African child will have access to vaccination.”

For many families, the impact of such initiatives goes beyond policy and financing. Reliable access to vaccines can mean the difference between life and death, particularly for children in vulnerable communities where preventable diseases remain a threat.

As Senegal and other African countries continue to strengthen routine immunisation systems, the Dakar charity dinner stands as a reminder that local leadership, private sector engagement and collective action are critical to securing a healthier future for Africa’s children.