BACKGROUND

Africa faces significant challenges in healthcare delivery, including an acute shortage of skilled health workers, inadequate digital infrastructure in health systems, and limited access to essential medicines and vaccines. These issues are compounded by fragile pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain systems, which hinder the timely and equitable distribution of medicines. Strengthening the health workforce, building robust digital health systems, and enhancing pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity are critical to achieving Africa’s health and development goals, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for a healthier, self-reliant continent.

OBJECTIVES

PARTICIPANTS

The event gathered prominent thought leaders from the African public health and pharmaceutical sectors, along with dignitaries from African embassies in India. The gathering provided an opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and explore key areas such as the growing demand for digital learning, the promotion of local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa, and the establishment of Centres of Excellence.

Representatives from the embassies and high commissions of Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Togo, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Guinea, and Rwanda were present at the event.

The "African Voices" session featured speakers who participated virtually via Zoom. Notable speakers included:

• Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator, The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Nigeria
• Mr. Pie Harerimana, Former Director General, Rwanda Medical Supply Ltd. (RMSL), Rwanda, Senior Advisor - Empower
• Mr. John Kabuchi, Acting MCP Director, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, Kenya
• Mr. Daniel Nazarov, Senior Programme Coordinator, Social Development Programme Unit, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Geneva, Switzerland
• Ms. Lemmy Mabuga, Program Officer, East, Central, and Southern Africa College of Nursing and Midwifery (ECSACONM), Tanzania
• Dr. Abdulkarime Smine, Former Head of US Pharmacopeia (USP), Africa, Senior Advisor – Empower

With a shared vision for Universal Healthcare for All Africans, this initiative highlighted key areas for collaboration:

✅ Strengthening Health Systems ✅ Accelerating Digital Health Innovations ✅ Expanding Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Regulatory Frameworks

The event brought together renowned experts such as Prof. Paul Lalvani, Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, dignitaries from various African countries like Cameroon, Ghana, Chad, Togo, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, etc. Various experts from UNITAR, ECSACON, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, Rwanda Medical Supply Ltd., Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, joined virtually to contribute their insights and experiences.

Discussions centered on capacity-building solutions, including: 📚 Manufacturing Training Academies 💡 Centers of Excellence for Digital Learning 📲 Digital Health Innovations

Key highlights of the event included:

• Engaging panel discussions addressing critical healthcare challenges.
• Showcasing cutting-edge learning tools and training solutions.
• Exploring partnerships to build stronger, more resilient health systems.

This event marked a step closer to realizing Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want—a unified effort toward a healthier, more sustainable future for the continent.

Let’s unite to shape a healthier, more resilient future.