The African Medical and Research Foundation's (AMREF) mission is to improve the health of disadvantaged people in. AMREF defines the disadvantaged as people who suffer from high prevalence and severe impact of major health problems like malaria, HIV/AIDS, poor water and sanitation, lack of information about adolescent and reproductive health, and poor access to health care.

Founded in 1957, AMREF has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and has country offices in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. It has field offices in Ethiopia and Mozambique and major projects in Rwanda, Somalia and southern Sudan.

AMREF programmes depend on funds raised mostly from Europe and North America. Donors include governments, foundations, trusts, corporate companies and individuals. To support awareness and fundraising activities in the north, AMREF has 12 national offices in Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA.