In a decisive step toward strengthening regional health resilience, leaders across Africa’s pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing sectors have converged to establish a unified continental network.
Ahead of the upcoming African Union Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra, Ghana, key stakeholders convened during a high-level consultative session to lay the groundwork for the Africa Forum for the Federations of Medical Products Manufacturers (AFFMPM).
The strategic initiative aims to transform the continent’s medical supply landscape by replacing fragmented regional efforts with a coordinated, powerful collective voice.
Building the Blueprint for Regional Health Security
The high-level session was led by H.E. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). Emphasizing the transformative intent behind the initiative, she highlighted that the newly envisioned platform goes far beyond traditional diplomatic dialogues.
“This isn’t just another meeting. It’s the blueprint for a coordinated, inclusive and influential continental platform one that amplifies the voice of African medical products manufacturers while working hand in hand with existing national associations, federations, and trade bodies,” said H.E. Nardos Bekele-Thomas.
Cross-Continental Collaboration in Action
Industry representatives and manufacturing association delegates from Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana played an active role in shaping the collective vision. By bringing together major industrial players from North, West, and East Africa, the consultation established a shared roadmap built on advocacy, strategic partnerships, and deep cross-border collaboration across the healthcare value chain.
To ensure long-term sustainability and industrial growth, participating delegates formally committed to several core objectives are championing innovation, R&D, and technology transfer to modernize local production capabilities, driving skill development and sustainable industrialization across all five African regions, strengthening high-level policy dialogue and fostering continuous knowledge exchange, building resilient regional value chains to mitigate future global supply chain disruptions, and advancing Africa’s health sovereignty to reduce dependency on external medical imports.
Official Launch Expected in Ghana
The AFFMPM is designed to act as a trusted continental partner to established national trade bodies and federations. By harmonizing efforts across regions, the forum ensures that local manufacturers receive greater representation, enhanced market access, and stronger bargaining power on the global stage.
The forum is scheduled for its official public launch during the AFESTACC event in Ghana this December, marking a crucial milestone in Africa’s pursuit of a globally competitive, sustainable, and self-sufficient medical manufacturing industry.
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