The Ifakara Health Institute is excited to participate in the 2026 Kenya Partners Convening (KPC), hosted by the Gates Foundation at the JW Marriott Hotel in Nairobi on March 31, 2026. This year’s theme is “Big Challenges Need Big Solutions—Reimagining Pathways to Scaling Innovations for Impact.”

Why this convening matters

Amid mounting global challenges, limited development funding, and slowing progress on critical health and development goals, focused and collaborative action is more important than ever. 

This convening unites Gates Foundation leadership, staff, and partners from Kenya and the region to highlight how innovative solutions, strong partnerships, and effective delivery systems turn obstacles into meaningful impact.

Malaria-fighting innovations on display

Proudly representing the Institute, Dr. Issa Mshani, Research Scientist, showcased Ifakara’s malaria innovations at our booth. Featured were a mobile app that digitizes the Coetzee key for offline field use, and the Deep Surveillance project, which leverages infrared spectroscopy and AI to identify mosquito species and age with up to 95% accuracy.

Also on display were climate-informed models predicting transmission risks and the globally recognized Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), which evaluates tools such as insecticide-treated nets. Together, these innovations illustrate how malaria management is shifting from traditional, labor-intensive methods to precision-driven strategies that tackle insecticide resistance and optimize the deployment of life-saving interventions.

Dr. Mshani engaged with senior delegates from the Gates Foundation, including Mark Suzman, Chief Executive Officer; Trevor Mundel, President, Global Health; Anita Zaidi, President, Gender Equality Division; Thoko Elphick-Pooley, Deputy Director for Program Advocacy and Communications, Africa; and Janet Opolot, Senior Program Manager.

Learn more about Ifakara’s malaria innovations here

A discussion on ending infectious diseases

Meanwhile, at the side event “Ending Infectious Diseases,” Ifakara’s Director of Science, Dr. Ally Olotu, joined a discussion on how African countries can boost local investment and adapt strategies for integrated disease surveillance. 

Sharing the stage with leading experts, including Dr. Daniel Mwai, Kenya’s President's Advisor on Health Financing, Dr. Olotu emphasized that malaria is not just a challenge—it’s an opportunity to innovate, scale solutions, and save lives faster than ever.

About the KPC

The KPC brings together leadership and staff from the Gates Foundation, alongside partners from Kenya and the broader region, to show how innovations, strategic partnerships, and effective delivery systems translate challenges into impact.

The event recognizes and highlights the partners and coalitions driving progress on shared priorities: ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, ensuring more children grow up free from deadly infectious diseases, and expanding economic opportunities so more people lift themselves out of poverty onto a path to prosperity.