Partnering with Africa's Largest Bednet Manufacturer
Thomas Danaher
OKnet.org's manufacturer
Based in Arusha, Tanzania, AtoZ Group Ltd., was founded in 1966. Over time they evolved into a major producer of insecticide-treated bednets for malaria prevention.
Why Bednets for Malaria?
Malaria remains a significant burden in sub-Saharan Africa. The use of insecticide-treated nets (LLINs -- long-lasting insecticidal nets) reduces childhood mortality by providing both a physical barrier and insecticide protection.
Production Scale & Capabilities
AtoZ is Africa’s largest producer of LLIN nets. Capacity is around 30 million units per year.
Operations are fully integrated: spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing, finishing, cutting and sewing all in one site. AtoZ control - from raw materials to finished bednets - helps with consistency, cost and innovation.
Innovation & Cost Efficiency
AtoZ’s advantage lies in large-scale production. Also, being based in Tanzania gives them local labor cost advantages and shorter distribution paths to malaria-endemic African markets.
Social & Economic Impact
Through local manufacturing, AtoZ’s growth directly addresses Africa’s major public-health problem while serving remote communities across the region.
Beyond health, AtoZ provides thousands of jobs — many for women — and strengthens local manufacturing capacity.
AtoZ is not only providing health intervention, it is an economic engine for the region.
Key Partnerships & Global Reach
AtoZ works with major global agencies and programs. It supplies LLIN nets to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and multiple non-governmental organizations.
Challenges & Context
While AtoZ is highly capable, they face a challenge: people don't use the current bednet design to prevent the spread of malaria. In the war against mosquitoes, people are vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases.
There is a clear need for a new bednet design. The gap between existing nets and the affordability of new OKnets underscores the vital role of a large-scale manufacturer like AtoZ.