President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to intensify efforts to build a strong pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, saying the continent is making steady progress towards reducing its 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 Africa’s vision of developing a robust pharmaceutical manufacturing sector was gradually becoming a reality.
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He stressed that the continent’s continued reliance on imported essential medicines and health commodities remains a major vulnerability, making it imperative for African countries to invest in domestic pharmaceutical production.
According to the President, expanding local manufacturing capacity will not only improve access to essential medicines but also strengthen Africa’s health security and promote industrial development.
He noted that the sector has the potential to drive economic transformation by creating employment opportunities for the continent’s growing youth population.
President Mahama also expressed concern over the decline in international development assistance for health, observing that many African countries continue to depend heavily on external funding to sustain their healthcare systems.
He described the situation as a critical moment that requires bold, home-grown solutions to build more resilient and self-reliant health systems across the continent.
The President argued that investment in healthcare should be viewed not only as a social responsibility but also as an important economic strategy capable of supporting sustainable growth, industrialisation and job creation.
He urged African leaders, health ministers, policymakers and development partners to move beyond policy declarations and translate their commitments into concrete action.
According to President Mahama, Africa’s long-term health security and economic resilience will depend on sustained investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing and decisive leadership to drive the continent’s healthcare transformation.
