Africa has made significant progress in transitioning from fragmented national regulatory systems toward continental harmonization through AMRH initiatives and operationalization of the African Medicines Agency (AMA). Technical collaboration, including EMA support in the continental product listing pilot, has strengthened regulatory alignment and assessment methodologies. However, harmonization alone is insufficient for supply chain resilience. Localization through manufacturing expansion, technology transfer, and industrial policy reduces dependency, enhances emergency responsiveness, and retains economic value within the continent. Governments are increasingly pairing harmonized regulations with incentives and pooled procurement mechanisms to create predictable, investment-friendly ecosystems. This session examines how regulatory convergence and localization together advance self-reliance and supply chain resilience.
Highlight Africa’s progress in regulatory harmonization and continental listing.
Examine lessons from global regulatory collaboration models.
Analyze the role of localization and technology transfer in resilience.
Explore how harmonization and localization jointly stabilize supply chains.
Identify implications for LMICs pursuing regulatory and manufacturing reforms.
Global Director - Operations and Strategic Growth, ACCESS Health International
Program Officer - African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization, African Union Development Agency
Senior Vice President - Global Health & Manufacturing Services, United States Pharmacopeia
Global Director - Health Systems Research and Policy, ACCESS Health International
Vice President, External Affairs (Policy, Govt Relations & Outreach), Sahajanand Medical Technologies