Dr Saul Johnson, a well-known epidemiologist in the health development field, leads Anansi Health Consulting. Johnson started his own health consulting company, Health and Development Africa, in 2002, and sold the company to Mott MacDonald International in 2010. In 2014, Johnson resigned from HDA and in 2015 started Anansi Health Consulting. Anansi's areas of expertise include epidemiology, research and monitoring and evaluation; behaviour change communication, HIV prevention; health system strengthening; and organisational development and change management.
Genesis chairperson Stephan Malherbe said, "The group likes big, complex sectors that are central to the progress of countries, where both market and state play a role. Above all, we like areas where our hallmark of rigorous and creative analytical thinking can put to good use. All this is true of health.
"Health risks and issues don't respect boundaries, so this is a regional play. Clearly, there is room for improving health outcomes in the region. Genesis will now become part of this exciting process. Most of all, this is a great team, with technical depth, a reputation for creative solutions and an ambition to make a mark in a critical area. Collectively the team has over three decades of experience in planning, implementing and evaluating cutting edge and innovative programmes in the health sector throughout sub-Saharan Africa."
Johnson said, "The team is excited to be joining a regional firm, committed to technical excellence and outstanding delivery to clients. We think there is substantial overlap in our work and this move allows us to share in Genesis' economic expertise, while bringing in our knowledge of the health sector and public programmes. Since Genesis is also increasingly working throughout sub Saharan Africa, we hope to also be able to extend our work in the region."
Anansi clients have included the Gates Foundation, UNAIDS, World Bank, South African National Aids Council, South African Development Fund, PWC, Soul City, the Elma Foundation and Heartiness.
The seven other practices in Genesis are competition and regulation, financial services, infrastructure and PPP advisory, monitoring and evaluation, agriculture and agribusiness and shared value.
