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Geneva/Addis Ababa – News Agencies
In a move aimed at strengthening health security in Africa and achieving self-sufficiency in the production of medical products, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Unitaid have announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly. The agreement seeks to expand the manufacturing of medicines, diagnostics, and medical oxygen across the African continent.
This partnership comes at a critical time, as Africa faces serious health challenges. The continent bears 25% of the global disease burden, yet relies on imports for more than 95% of its active pharmaceutical ingredients and 70% of the medicines it consumes. Africa has only around 600 medical manufacturing facilities, compared to approximately 10,000 in India and 5,000 in China.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to support regional manufacturing of essential medical products, including diagnostic tools, treatments, and medical oxygen, while also building local capacity to produce medicines and innovative health technologies — particularly those developed within Africa. The partnership will focus on priority diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, cervical cancer, and sexually transmitted infections, with an emphasis on diseases affecting women and children.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, described the partnership as “a crucial step toward building a strong and sustainable health future for the continent,” adding:
“We are relying on African expertise and expanding our production capacity to ensure essential health products are available, affordable, and closer to the communities that need them.”
For his part, Dr. Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid, emphasized the importance of boosting Africa’s capacity to meet its own health challenges:
“By expanding regional production, we can reduce supply chain risks and ensure faster, more equitable access to life-saving products, while supporting the growth of Africa’s pharmaceutical industry.”
The partnership also aims to tackle regulatory, financial, and market-related obstacles that hinder local production and to improve pandemic preparedness by developing health tools that are designed, produced, and distributed within Africa.
The initiative will be implemented through a joint action plan with regular performance reviews to ensure progress and accountability. Key areas of cooperation include:
- Supporting innovation in diagnostics, treatments, and medical technologies
- Strengthening procurement and regulatory frameworks for locally produced products
- Expanding access to medical oxygen
- Enhancing pandemic preparedness and response
- Promoting African-led health solutions in regional and global forums
About the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC):
Africa CDC is a specialized public health agency of the African Union, operating independently to support member states in strengthening health systems, disease surveillance, and emergency response.
Learn more at: www.africacdc.org
About Unitaid:
Unitaid is a global health organization that works to make new health products available and affordable in low- and middle-income countries. It accelerates access to innovative tools for people most in need by addressing market barriers. Since its founding in 2006, Unitaid has helped make over 100 groundbreaking health products available, reaching more than 300 million people annually.
Unitaid is hosted by the World Health Organization.
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