President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Africa’s ambition to establish a robust pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is steadily becoming a reality, urging leaders across the continent to accelerate efforts to reduce dependence on imported medicines and medical supplies.
Addressing Heads of State and Government on the second day of the African Union Extraordinary Summit, President Mahama said the vision of building Africa’s pharmaceutical industry was no longer “a mere scribble on paper” but one that was taking shape through collective commitment and action.
He stressed that Africa’s continued reliance on imported medicines and other essential health commodities remained a significant vulnerability, particularly during global health emergencies. He said expanding domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing was essential to strengthening health security, promoting industrialisation and creating employment opportunities for the continent’s growing youth population.
President Mahama also expressed concern over the decline in international development assistance for health, noting that many African countries still rely heavily on external funding to sustain their healthcare systems. He described the current situation as a critical moment that demands decisive, home-grown solutions to ensure the sustainability of health financing across the continent.
He further argued that investment in health should be regarded not only as a social responsibility but also as an economic imperative. According to the President, stronger health systems can drive economic growth, improve resilience and support long-term development while creating jobs and boosting local industries.
President Mahama called on African Heads of State, Health Ministers, policymakers and development partners to move beyond declarations and translate their commitments into practical measures.
He emphasised that Africa’s health future would depend on bold leadership, sustained investment and coordinated action to build a resilient pharmaceutical manufacturing sector capable of meeting the continent’s healthcare needs.
