50%of deaths in Africa are associated with infectious diseases.
Transforming global health
Evidence that strengthens communities.
Zihi Institute builds resilient and healthy communities through inclusive evidence generation, locally grounded interventions, and models designed to scale across Africa.
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Our context
Public health interventions must be built for the realities of the communities they serve.
Africa carries a disproportionate burden of infectious disease, while many interventions remain dependent on systems that are difficult to sustain.
We work with communities, researchers, institutions, and decision-makers to understand what works, why it works, and how effective approaches can be adapted responsibly. Our starting point is simple: communities are partners in designing lasting solutions, not passive recipients.
How we work
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The challenge
The case for stronger, locally owned health systems is urgent.
Sustainable progress requires rigorous evidence, meaningful community participation, and delivery models that can operate within existing systems.
24%of the global disease burden is carried by the continent.
3%of the global health workforce serves the region.
1%of global health expenditure is available to respond.
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Our model
A disciplined pathway from evidence to sustainable impact.
We connect research, implementation, and institutional learning so effective interventions can be understood, improved, and sustained.
Inclusive evidence
We frame questions with communities and generate evidence that reflects lived realities, implementation constraints, and local priorities.
Explore our researchImplementation models
We design and test approaches that strengthen delivery, improve outcomes, and build ownership within existing community and institutional systems.
See our operational modelContextual scale
We document learning and support responsible adaptation so proven models can travel without losing the context that made them effective.
View our impact
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Priority areas
Focused on the systems and conditions that shape community health.
Evidence generation
Rigorous, inclusive research that makes implementation challenges visible and actionable.
Read our publicationsSystem strengthening
Institutional models and partnerships that support accountable, resilient public health delivery.
Institutional designMeaningful engagement
Community ownership embedded throughout design, implementation, learning, and adaptation.
Our thematic areas
Work with us