Egypt has partnered with the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) to develop a long-term cooperation framework. This framework aims to expand local production of medicines, vaccines, and medical technologies across Africa. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Egypt's Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar and AUDA-NEPAD Chief Executive Nardos Bekele-Thomas on the sidelines of the World Health Summit in Berlin.
The proposed framework will identify priority initiatives, focal points, and implementation mechanisms. It will focus on strengthening local production and improving access to essential medicines, vaccines, and medical technologies across the continent. Discussions also covered pharmaceutical regulation, drug and vaccine manufacturing, technology transfer, and the development of more resilient medical supply chains.
Egypt and AUDA-NEPAD discussed mobilising investment and development financing for priority healthcare infrastructure and pharmaceutical manufacturing projects. However, the ministry did not announce specific projects, funding commitments, or an implementation timetable. Egypt expressed its readiness to utilise its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, regulatory experience, and healthcare expertise to support African health systems.
The proposed cooperation will also cover professional training and regulatory capacity building. It will address disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness, laboratory capabilities, and emergency response. The meeting addressed primary healthcare, universal health coverage, and health insurance, with both sides discussing ways to strengthen healthcare systems across the continent.
Egypt and AUDA-NEPAD agreed to identify potential joint health projects. These projects could be developed in cooperation with African financing institutions and international development partners. The partnership aims to reduce Africa's dependence on external sources and improve access to medical products and services.
The cooperation framework will enable Egypt to draw on its expertise to support African health systems. It will also expand access to medical products and services. The agreement demonstrates Egypt's commitment to supporting healthcare development across the continent.
The partnership between Egypt and AUDA-NEPAD has the potential to significantly impact healthcare in Africa. By strengthening local production and improving access to essential medicines, vaccines, and medical technologies, the continent can become more self-sufficient in meeting its healthcare needs.
Key points
- Egypt and AUDA-NEPAD have agreed on a cooperation framework to expand local production of medicines, vaccines, and medical technologies across Africa.
- The proposed framework will focus on strengthening local production and improving access to essential medicines, vaccines, and medical technologies.
- Egypt has expressed its readiness to utilise its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, regulatory experience, and healthcare expertise to support African health systems.
