Participants at the African Ministerial Conference on Local Pharmaceutical Production and Healthcare Technologies adopted the ‘Algiers Declaration’ today, marking a significant step towards bolstering the continent’s health sovereignty. The declaration serves as a common foundation for unifying efforts aimed at developing the African pharmaceutical industry and reducing reliance on imports.
The ‘Algiers Declaration’ is the culmination of two days of discussions between ministers of health and pharmaceutical industry, as well as representatives from African and international bodies. The conference, held at the Abdellatif Rahal International Conference Center in Algiers, took place under the high patronage of the Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The declaration includes practical commitments related to promoting local manufacturing, technology transfer, strengthening regulatory capacities, and facilitating partnerships between African countries in the fields of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other healthcare technologies. This unified vision aims to achieve health security for the continent. The key objective is to foster a sustainable and resilient healthcare ecosystem within Africa.
The declaration underscores the importance of inter-African collaboration and knowledge sharing to drive innovation and ensure access to essential medicines for all Africans. It also emphasizes the need for increased investment in research and development, as well as workforce training, to support the growth of the local pharmaceutical industry.
By prioritizing local production and strengthening regional cooperation, the ‘Algiers Declaration’ represents a crucial step towards achieving greater self-sufficiency in healthcare and improving the health outcomes for millions of people across the African continent.
