About the Foundation

To improve, preserve, restore eye health and vision for the people of Cameroon and the neighbouring countries of Central Africa, the Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute at Yaounde, Cameroon, was established by the Africa Eye Foundation to serve as a center for ophthalmology comprehensive and subspecialty eye care to all in need, regardless of ability to pay and as a training center for ophthalmologists, ophthalmology subspecialists, and allied personnel.

Presentation of Africa Eye Foundation

Africa Eye Foundation registered as a nonprofit Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland, on August 12, 2010, has directed activities to design, construct, equip, staff, and commence patient care at Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute (MICEI). With continuing oversight of MICEI, Africa Eye Foundation Board of Trustees have emphasised community outreach, professional training programs, development of partnerships, quality services, and institutional sustainability.

Strategic Collaboration with the Republic of Cameroon

AEF’s impact is amplified through formal agreements with the Republic of Cameroon, ensuring alignment with national health priorities:
• Headquarters Agreement with the Ministry of External Relations since 2015 : On February 4, 2020, AEF signed a renewal agreement with the Ministry of External Relations, led by H.E. Lejeune Mbella Mbella, maintaining AEF’s status as an international NGO headquartered in Cameroon. This agreement enables AEF to operate seamlessly, expand its reach, and collaborate with regional partners in the Cameroon and CEMAC region.
• Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Public Health : Signed on 2016, and renewal on May 18, 2023 by H.E. Dr. Manaouda Malachie, Minister of Public Health, this MOU strengthens collaboration to integrate eye care into Cameroon’s health system, supporting the VISION 2020 initiative and the 2020–2030 Health Sector Strategy.
This partnership facilitates eye care subspecialties accessibility, training, outreach, and infrastructure development, ensuring sustainable eye care delivery.
These agreements underscore AEF’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with Cameroon’s government to address the high prevalence of blindness and build a robust eye care ecosystem.

Chart of Board of Trustees

Akef El-Maghraby, MD

Founder

Amin El-Maghraby

President

Bradley Straatsma

Vice President

Bruce Spivey

Secretary General

Serge Resnikoff.

Treasurer

David Pyott

Member

Soliman Aref

Member

Tamer Makary

Member

Mohamed Zakaria

Member

Rainer Brockhaus

Member

Julia A. Haller

Member

Ranjit Bhonsle

Member

Brief Archives of AEF

August 31, 2012 Construction work on Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute in Yaounde about to start As the bulldozers move in to prepare the construction site for this state-of-the-art eye hospital and training center in Yaounde, Cameroon, we wish to share with you some photographs of Obak and the proposed institute site. December 12, 2014 […]

About the Foundation