Heidi Reynolds – Senior Specialist for Evaluation and Learning, GAVI

AFENET@20 Anniversary message

It’s a true honor to join you in celebrating 20 years of AFENET’s remarkable contributions to public health across Africa.

From workforce development through the field epidemiology training programs to strengthening public health, surveillance and systems, AFENET has been a cornerstone on the continent for resilience, innovation and impact.

Over the past two decades, AFENET has tackled some of the most pressing challenges in primary health care, especially in immunization. Whether it’s improving vaccination delivery systems, health workforce capacity or data collection analysis and use, the network has consistently stepped up to meet the moment. Central to Gavi in the 5.0 strategic period is the Identify, Reach, Monitor, Measure and Advocate or IRMA framework.

We have seen firsthand how those components work together in Nigeria under the Zero-Dose Learning Hub to drive real progress in immunization equity. AFENET has created a learning system that not only identifies drivers of zero-dose children, those children who have never been immunized, but also addresses them, measures progress and advocates for sustainable change. As we celebrate, we must also recommit.

Let’s redouble efforts to promote investments in the equity agenda and work to reach zero-dose children, especially in conflict-affected and underserved areas. When health systems prioritize equity, they address the root causes of exclusion and vulnerability. This means tackling barriers like poverty, discrimination, conflict and lack of trust, which often prevent the most marginalized from accessing care.

This includes mobilizing political commitments, like the Abuja Declaration in Nigeria, to develop actionable policy and funding resolutions that directly contribute to addressing immunization gaps. Let’s redouble our efforts to improve immunization coverage and strengthen outbreak response in order to end poliovirus transmission. Let’s build vaccine confidence and address hesitancy through community engagement and strategic communication.

While major shifts are underway in global public health, which can create uncertainty and potential gaps, it also opens opportunities for AFENET to innovate and lead as an African-owned technical partner for ministries of health, donors and global health initiatives. AFENET’s track record in capacity building, surveillance, data systems and implementation research make AFENET an important partner for governments. AFENET can accelerate locally relevant innovations, such as the decentralized immunization monitoring approach in Nigeria and community-based surveillance.

AFENET’s commitment to knowledge translation helps governments translate data and evidence for policies and practice. This includes elevating immunization on government agendas, not as a siloed program, but as a central pillar of national health strategies. AFENET has demonstrated its commitment to advancing knowledge exchange, learning and collaboration by implementing effective peer learning approaches that foster shared experience and practical problem-solving across teams and communities.

This is not a solo journey; it is a collective mission. AFENET’s partnerships with governments, donors, CSOs and communities are what make its work sustainable and scalable. Let’s continue to build on these collaborations, share learning and align our efforts to ensure that every child everywhere has access to life-saving vaccines.

Congratulations again to AFENET this milestone. May the next 20 years be even more impactful, inclusive and transformative. And above all, thank you to you, those dedicated individuals whose expertise, commitment and collaboration have shaped AFENET’s journey and success.

I’m looking forward to seeing what you achieve and the difference your work will bring. Thank you.