Geneva/Addis Ababa – The African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Unitaid have formed a new strategic partnership to expand production of essential health products in Africa and improve sustainable access to medicines, diagnostics and medical oxygen across the continent.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed on the Margins of the 78th World Health Conference, focuses on expanding regional manufacturing as a central pillar of health safety and autonomy in Africa.
Africa carries 25% of the global disease burden, but imports more than 95% of active pharmaceutical ingredients and more than 70% of the drugs consumed. There are only health product manufacturing sites on the continent with a population of 1.1 billion, compared to around 10,000 in India and 5,000 in China.
To address these gaps and strengthen Africa’s ability to respond to future pandemics, the partnership will support regional production of critical medical products such as diagnosis, therapy and oxygen, and build the capacity to produce priority health products, including those developed in Africa, and to expand innovative technologies.
These initiatives target major health priorities, such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, cervical cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and other diseases and conditions that affect women and children, particularly those that affect women and children.
“This partnership reflects Africa’s goal of developing and producing the health products that people across the continent need while building a resilient future,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director of CDC for Africa. “Together with Unitaid, we are building on African expertise, expanding our local manufacturing capacity and strengthening our ability to ensure essential health products are affordable and close to where they are needed.”
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Through this agreement, the two agencies coordinate efforts to overcome regulatory, financing and market challenges that hinder regional production. The collaboration also aims to improve pandemic preparation by supporting the development and availability of health tools designed, produced and delivered within Africa.
“The CDC and Unitide in Africa share the same goal. We will strengthen Africa’s capabilities and enable the continent to respond to endemic diseases and local health challenges in a sustainable way,” said Dr. Philip Daneton, Executive Director of Unitide. “By expanding local production, we can reduce supply chain risks and ensure faster and more
Collaboration is guided by a shared action plan and regular progress review to ensure sustained momentum and accountability. The areas of collaboration include supporting diagnostic, treatment and innovation in medical technology. Africa-led solutions at both regional and global levels.
