CAD has recently concluded an assignment to support UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) in the elaboration of a coherent private sector engagement approach. The consultancy aimed to: broaden the scope of the previous private sector engagement initiatives undertook by UNFPA in the region, harmonize tools and set up a database to facilitate the research, and optimize the exchange of information as well as good practices between UNFPA 23 Country Offices in East and Southern Africa (ESA), ESA Regional Office and Headquarters.

The work included mapping the private sector of 23 countries and identifying the most relevant partners, interviews to 23 country offices representatives, support in the creation of the first private sector database of UNFPA and the elaboration of a regional strategy. It constitutes a solid basis on which ESA Country Offices and Regional Office will strengthen the engagement with the private sector to leverage resources, build capacities and generate ideas for innovative joint initiatives. The ultimate purpose is for UNFPA to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.