African health ministers strengthen their partnership with Unitaid for African sovereignty and innovation in health

Meeting in Lusaka (Zambia) on 24 August 2025, African Health Ministers, under the chairmanship of the Honorable Minister of Health and Population of the Central African Republic, Dr. Pierre SOMSE, adopted a final Declaration outlining the principles of partnership with Unitaid and other global health partners.

This Declaration marks a decisive step in the shared commitment of African countries to strengthen their health sovereignty, accelerate equitable access to innovation, and consolidate their role in global health governance.

A strong commitment to Africa shaping its own health future

The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Lusaka Agenda (2023) and the Accra Initiative (2025), which lay the foundation for a new global health governance system ensuring equity, sustainability, and African leadership.

They also emphasized the urgent need to reduce dependence on external aid by promoting local and regional solutions to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensure the continent’s health security.

A clear direction: African leadership and global equity

The Declaration calls for:

• African leadership and ownership in the design and implementation of health projects;
• Transparent and shared governance, including two annual ministerial meetings and the involvement of civil society;
• Recognition of African regulators as global reference authorities;
• Major investment in regional production of medicines, diagnostics, and vaccines;
• Sustainable financing through strengthened national budgets and new regional funding mechanisms.

A sovereign Africa, a partner to the world

The African Health Ministers from the EMRO and AFRO regions committed to leading by example through their budgetary, policy, and industrial decisions. They reaffirmed their support for multilateral initiatives, including Unitaid’s Regional Manufacturing for Equitable Access (RMEA) program, a key driver of financing for pharmaceutical production in Africa. In conclusion, they reiterated that Africa must invest more in its health sector to become a central player in its own development and a driver of global innovation.

In conclusion, they reiterated that Africa must invest more in its health sector to become a central player in its own development and a driver of global innovation.

The Declaration will be submitted to the 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa and to the Unitaid Executive Board, marking an important milestone in the strategic partnership between Africa and its global health partners.