Local manufacturing of health products is no longer a developmental option but a “strategic necessity” to ensure African health sovereignty and security, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said on Saturday.
Speaking at a presidential roundtable on health manufacturing in Addis Ababa, on the sidelines of the African Union Summit, Abdelatty stated that the continent’s health security depends on its ability to produce vaccines and medicines locally to reduce “excessive dependence” on external sources.
The minister highlighted that the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) is the first regulator in Africa to reach World Health Organisation (WHO) maturity level 3 for both medicines and vaccines, and is currently progressing toward level 4. He confirmed Egypt’s readiness to place this expertise at the continent’s disposal to unify standards and accelerate sustainable local production.
Continental Health Sovereignty
Abdelatty further urged African nations that have not yet ratified the treaty establishing the African Medicines Agency (AMA) to do so immediately. He described the AMA as a “continental tool for sovereignty” that would provide a unified regulatory framework, reduce costs, and enhance the reliability of African pharmaceutical products.
“The success of these efforts requires an integrated continental framework that combines effective regulation, sustainable financing, and guaranteed demand,” Abdelatty said, noting that Egypt’s manufacturing capacities are prepared to meet continental requirements for medicines, vaccines, and plasma derivatives.
The minister also stressed the importance of facilitating intra-African trade in pharmaceuticals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and COMESA frameworks to enhance industrial integration.
Italy-Africa Strategic Partnership
On Friday, representing President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the second Italy-Africa Summit, Abdelatty called for the establishment of an “institutionalised sustainable framework” for relations between the continent and Italy. Following a cabinet reshuffle earlier this week that added international cooperation to his portfolio, Abdelatty argued that the partnership must move toward a model based on “mutual interests and shared benefit.”
Egypt is currently engaging in initiatives under Italy’s “Mattei Plan,” particularly in agriculture and land reclamation; food security; green energy and the green transition, as well as human capacity development
Abdelatty described Egypt as a “natural bridge” between Africa and Europe, citing the country’s experience in infrastructure and energy as key assets for tripartite cooperation and continental connectivity.
Security and Migration
Addressing regional stability, the minister stated that sustainable peace requires a comprehensive vision linking security with development. He emphasised that addressing the root causes of illegal migration—specifically poverty, unemployment, and climate change—requires long-term investment in human development.
Abdelatty concluded that the Italy-Africa Summit must yield “practical results” that meet the aspirations of African peoples for a more stable and prosperous future, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
