Our partner: Africa's largest bednet manufacturer
Thomas Danaher1. Happy Camper's manufacturer
AtoZ, based in Arusha, Tanzania, was originally founded in 1966. Over time they have evolved into a major producer of insecticide-treated bednets (LLINs = long-lasting insecticidal nets) for malaria prevention.
In other words, a local textile business expanded to address a major public-health problem.
2. Why Bednets & Malaria?
Malaria remains a significant burden in sub-Saharan Africa. The use of insecticide-treated nets reduces childhood mortality by providing both a physical barrier and insecticide protection.
3. Production Scale & Capabilities
AtoZ is Africa’s largest producer of bednets. Capacity is around 30 million units per year.
By manufacturing locally, AtoZ contributes directly to Africa's prevention efforts.
The operations are fully integrated: spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing, finishing, cutting and sewing all in one site. AtoZ control manufacturing from the raw materials to finished bednets — helping with consistency, cost and innovation.
4. Innovation & Cost Efficiency
AtoZ’s advantage lies in innovation and productivity. For example, by treating the nets to make them long-lasting (rather than requiring frequent re-treatment) they improve effectiveness and reduce lifecycle cost. trendhunter.com+1
Also, being based in Tanzania gives them local labour cost advantages and shorter distribution paths to many African markets. This means the nets produced in Tanzania can reach remote communities across Africa.
5. Social & Economic Impact
Beyond health, AtoZ provides thousands of jobs — many for women — and strengthens local manufacturing capacity.
In other words, this is not only a health intervention but also an economic engine for the region.
6. Key Partnerships & Global Reach
AtoZ works with major global agencies and programs. It supplies nets to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and several non-governmental organizations.
7. Challenges & Context
While AtoZ is highly capable, the broader retail market in Tanzania shows a challenge: many commercially sold nets are untreated, and thus less effective at malaria prevention. ccp.jhu.edu
That means there is a gap between what is possible (LLINs) and what is available in some markets — reinforcing the importance of manufacturers like AtoZ, and the need for policy and market alignment.