Who we are
Partners for Health and Development in Africa (PHDA) is a Kenyan-registered, non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Manitoba, Canada, with over 45 years of experience advancing public health research, systems strengthening, and community-led programming in Africa. PHDA works in partnership with governments, donors, academic institutions, civil society, and communities to expand equitable access to quality health services, particularly for underserved and key populations. Operating across all 47 counties in Kenya and providing technical support to over 15 African countries, PHDA delivers integrated solutions spanning research, HIV prevention and treatment, digital health innovation, and health systems strengthening.
Research
PHDA has made significant contributions to epidemiological, clinical, immunological, social, and behavioural research, particularly in HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Through its affiliation with the University of Manitoba, PHDA has strengthened the understanding of health systems in Africa and has established centres of excellence for clinical trials in HIV, HPV, and COVID-19. PHDA also plays a leading role in ethical research governance and digital health research, conducting landscape analyses, including for key populations, and contributing to the development of digital health policies, guidelines, and legislation such as AI standards and the Digital Health Bill. PHDA is at the forefront of adopting and implementing digital health innovations while building capacity among partners and government institutions.
Programmes
PHDA supports more than 100,000 key and vulnerable populations annually through rights-based, stigma-free service delivery models that improve HIV prevention, testing, treatment uptake, and retention in care. Through our SWOP Clinics these community-driven approaches have generated scalable best practices that inform national policies and regional programming.
Health Systems strengthening
As a trusted technical partner to the Government of Kenya, PHDA contributes to policy development, strategic planning, programme optimization, and capacity strengthening. Regionally, PHDA leads South to South Learning Networks (SSLN), enabling 15 African countries to share best practices, identify programmatic gaps, and strengthen sustainable HIV prevention responses. PHDA also provides consultancy support to countries such as Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa, identifying gaps in HIV programmes and advising on sustainable, evidence-based solutions.
PHDA is also recognized for its research excellence and ethical governance, supporting clinical, behavioural, and implementation science across HIV, HPV, COVID-19, and emerging public health priorities. The organization contributes to digital health transformation through system design, policy input, and data-driven programme monitoring. Our expertise spans the design, implementation, and management of digital solutions that support data-driven decision-making, health program monitoring, and real-time reporting.
PHDA’s system-strengthening work underscores its role as a trusted partner, thought leader, and catalyst for sustainable health outcomes, ensuring that investments in HIV prevention and care translate into long-term resilience and impact.
Partnerships and collaborations
PHDA’s work is anchored in strong partnerships and global engagement, reflecting its commitment to collective action for sustainable health outcomes. The organization collaborates closely with National and County governments in Kenya through the Ministry of Health ensuring alignment with public health priorities and strengthening local ownership of interventions. PHDA maintains a strategic academic affiliation with the University of Manitoba, fostering evidence-based programming, joint research, and capacity building.
On the global arena, PHDA is an active partner in PREPARED: Preparing for the Next Pandemic, where it is one of 16 global Partners driving pandemic preparedness and resilience, contributing African perspectives and innovations to shape worldwide responses. PHDA also participates in the Institute for Global Public Health (IGPH) learning exchange, advancing cross-institutional learning, innovation, and knowledge transfer that enrich both local and international practice.
At the heart of these collaborations is PHDA’s unwavering commitment to the principle of “leaving no one behind.” Through inclusive partnerships with governments, academia, civil society, and communities, PHDA ensures that its programmes are equitable, impactful, and sustainable, positioning the organization as a trusted catalyst for Universal Health Coverage.
Governance
PHDA is guided by its core values of IPATE Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability, Transparency, and Equity. Integrity underpins all our community engagement and resource stewardship. The organization is duly regulated by the Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority (PBORA) and operates under a framework of robust policies and procedures that safeguard accountability and transparency. Our financial statements are audited annually by reputable professional firms, with consistently unqualified audit opinions, demonstrating strong fiduciary systems and donor confidence. With strong governance, proven scale, and measurable impact, PHDA is a trusted partner for sustainable, evidence-based health outcomes in Africa.