Algiers, Algeria – President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has emphasized the critical need for Africa to develop a robust pharmaceutical industry to ensure health sovereignty. The President’s remarks were delivered by Prime Minister Seifi Gherib at the opening of the African Ministerial Conference on Local Pharmaceutical Production and Health Technologies, held at the Abdellatif Rahal International Conference Centre in Algiers.
The conference brought together ministerial delegations from over 15 African nations, along with representatives from national and international organizations. President Tebboune highlighted the paradox of Africa being a resource-rich continent and exporter of talent, yet heavily reliant on imports for its healthcare needs.
“Africa must prioritize the development of local industries, including essential medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and raw materials,” the President stated, emphasizing the sovereign imperative of protecting its populations amidst global geopolitical instability and its impact on supply chains.
President Tebboune reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to African solidarity and regional integration, aligning with its vision of building a strong, sovereign, and developmentally integrated continent. He noted that the conference, hosted by Algeria within the framework of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, presents a strategic opportunity to advance the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa (PMPA). The PMPA aims to secure the continent’s needs for medicines, vaccines, and health technologies.
The President expressed his hope that the “Algiers Declaration,” expected to be the outcome of the conference, will mark a decisive step towards strengthening local pharmaceutical production through practical partnerships. These partnerships should guarantee African countries the right to medicine, health, and development.
President Tebboune underscored that Algeria’s selection to host the conference reflects the World Health Organization’s confidence in the reforms and successes achieved by the national pharmaceutical sector. He further highlighted the significant advancements made in Algeria’s domestic pharmaceutical production capabilities.
