African Union (AU) heads of state, ministers, and senior officials have officially adopted the Presidential Declaration on Advancing Local Manufacturing of Health Products in Africa, aimed at strengthening the continent’s health security, self-reliance, and resilience. The declaration was endorsed on February 14, 2026, during the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with technical and strategic support from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The declaration acknowledges the critical importance of local production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics, and medical devices for Africa’s long-term health sovereignty. It builds on previous AU commitments to harmonize regulatory frameworks, improve quality assurance, and enhance pooled procurement mechanisms to ensure equitable access to essential health commodities across the continent.
Key commitments under the declaration include:
- Operationalising the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM) to aggregate demand, reduce import dependence, and create sustainable markets for African manufacturers.
- Mobilising sustainable financing, including establishing a dedicated capital fund for the APPM to support production, scale-up, and market access.
- Encouraging technology transfer and partnerships between African manufacturers and global pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
- Strengthening regulatory systems across AU member states to ensure quality, safety, and efficacy of locally produced health products.
A major milestone under the declaration is the planned Extraordinary Summit on African Health Products Manufacturing in Nairobi, Kenya, scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, chaired by President William Ruto of Kenya, who serves as the AU Champion on Local Manufacturing. The summit will focus on fast-tracking implementation, securing political and financial commitments, and showcasing Africa’s manufacturing potential.
Several AU member states, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa, have already launched initiatives to expand domestic pharmaceutical and health product capacity. The declaration is expected to accelerate these efforts by fostering cross-border collaboration, investment, and innovation.
Africa CDC Director Dr. John Nkengasong highlighted that the move is a direct response to vulnerabilities revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent outbreaks, emphasizing the need for continent-wide resilience and reduced reliance on imports.
The declaration has been widely welcomed by health experts, development partners, and civil society organizations, who note that building local production capacity is crucial to ensuring timely access to life-saving health products and safeguarding public health in Africa.
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