Improving access to quality health services for mothers (including pregnant women), newborns and children (MNC) requires evidence-informed, goal-oriented health and social policies as well as interventions based on good practice. As a commitment to maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) invested CAN$36 million through the Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in Africa (IMCHA) initiative – a seven-year programme (2014–2020) in 11 countries.