Overview

In September 2000, the Bank launched the Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Program (MAP) for Africa. The MAP addresses the obstacles faced by many sub-Saharan Africa countries working to develop a strategic response to HIV/AIDS by committing substantial International Development Association (IDA) resources and leveraging co-financing on a country-by-country basis through the International Partnership Against AIDS in Africa (IPAA). MAP made an initial $500 million of flexible and rapid disbursing grants available to African countries to assist in scaling up national HIV/AIDS efforts and approved an additional US$500 million in IDA financing in 2002 for the second stage of the MAP for Africa.

MAP funds are accessed through individual country National AIDS Commissions (NACs), charged with developing, disseminating and coordinating the implementation of national HIV/AIDS responses, including the role of the private sector. Increasingly in Africa, NACs recognize the expanding role of civil society and the private sector, in creating a diverse and comprehensive response to HIV in conjunction with more traditional partners such as central health ministries, local government, NGOs, faith-based organizations and communities. To better engage and support corporate and private sector partners, MAP has instituted a funding mechanism through which private sector organizations can apply for resources.