AURAI partners with universities, governments, and implementing organisations to build a resilient and equitable African health system — powered by skilled workforces, rigorous research, and evidence-driven policy.
"When universities lead,
health systems transform."
AURAI — the African University Resource Advancement Initiative — is a health systems strengthening organisation that mobilises African universities as engines of workforce development, implementation research, and institutional capacity building.
We work at the intersection of higher education and public health, partnering with governments and implementing organisations to translate university potential into real-world impact across the continent.
Explore what we doA resilient and equitable African health system powered by strong universities, a skilled workforce, and evidence-driven policy.
To strengthen health systems across Africa by mobilising universities as hubs for training, research, and innovation — in partnership with governments and implementing organisations.
Empowering Universities. Transforming Africa.
AURAI's programmes mobilise universities across all dimensions of health system strengthening — from building skilled workforces to generating the evidence that shapes policy.
University-based pre-service and in-service training programmes that equip the next generation of health workers with clinical competencies, leadership skills, and the systems-thinking needed to serve Africa's communities.
A pan-African implementation research network connecting universities to generate context-specific evidence on what works in health systems delivery — and translating those findings into actionable policy recommendations.
Targeted institutional capacity building that helps African universities strengthen governance, financial sustainability, research infrastructure, and faculty development — so they become lasting hubs for health innovation.
Structured dialogues and technical assistance that connect university researchers, government health ministries, and implementing partners — ensuring evidence from African institutions shapes the policies governing Africa's health systems.
Across East, West, and Southern Africa actively engaged in AURAI programmes.
Active programmes spanning sub-Saharan Africa from Dakar to Cape Town.
Pre-service and in-service graduates equipped for modern health systems.
Studies generating policy-relevant evidence from within Africa.
When universities become genuine partners in health system delivery — not just observers — the entire ecosystem of public health accelerates. That is the AURAI model.— AURAI Founding Statement, 2026
AURAI works alongside universities, government ministries, and international implementing organisations to ensure every programme is locally grounded and globally connected.
African universities serving as programme hubs, research leads, and training centres across the continent.
National and subnational governments anchoring programmes in health system priorities and policy cycles.
International organisations bringing co-funding, technical capacity, and implementation reach across Africa.
A new multi-university training consortium will prepare over 1,200 health workers annually, embedding competency-based curricula aligned with national health sector strategic plans.
Eight university research units have joined the REACH Network to co-produce implementation science that directly informs national HIV treatment and prevention guidelines.
The programme's milestone reflects growing momentum in building sustainable, high-performing African universities equipped to lead health system innovation for decades.
Whether you represent a university, a government ministry, a funder, or an implementing organisation, we want to hear from you. AURAI is built on partnership.
