The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a reality that many African health systems had long experienced: when global supply chains are disrupted, access to essential medicines becomes uncertain. For a continent that bears nearly 25% of the global disease burden but produces only about 3% of the world’s pharmaceuticals, dependence on imported medicines presents a significant challenge to health security.
Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions, the EPN has developed a Position Paper on Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Africa, providing a faith-based perspective and practical policy recommendations to strengthen pharmaceutical production across the continent. The paper serves as a strategic advocacy tool for governments, development partners, faith-based health institutions, manufacturers, and other stakeholders committed to improving access to quality-assured medicines.
Access to quality medicines is fundamental to achieving Universal Health Coverage and resilient health systems. Yet many African countries continue to rely heavily on imported pharmaceuticals, making healthcare systems vulnerable to supply disruptions, fluctuating prices, procurement delays, and shortages of essential medicines.
Drawing on a survey of 24 EPN member organizations across 10 African countries, alongside extensive policy and literature reviews, the paper presents evidence of the challenges faced by faith-based health systems and outlines practical pathways toward a stronger pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem. The findings reveal persistent stock-outs, concerns over medicine quality, regulatory gaps, limited technical capacity, and fragmented markets that continue to hinder local production.
Faith-based organizations have long been trusted partners in healthcare delivery across Africa, serving millions of people, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Beyond providing healthcare services, they are key actors in pharmaceutical procurement, quality assurance, advocacy, and last-mile distribution. EPN’s position paper highlights the unique contribution that faith-based health systems can make in supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing by:
By positioning faith-based organizations as strategic partners rather than passive beneficiaries, the paper demonstrates how they can help shape a more resilient pharmaceutical ecosystem across Africa.
The position paper calls for a shift from reliance on imported medicines toward building a self-reliant pharmaceutical sector capable of meeting Africa’s health needs. Key recommendations include:
Together, these actions can help build a resilient pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem that delivers affordable, safe, and quality-assured medicines for African communities.
Beyond policy recommendations, the paper calls for a fundamental shift in how Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity is perceived. For too long, conversations around local manufacturing have focused primarily on limitations. EPN advocates for a new narrative, one that recognizes Africa’s growing manufacturing capability, innovation, and technical expertise while addressing the investments and partnerships needed to unlock its full potential. Strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing is not simply an industrial objective; it is an investment in health security, economic development, and the continent’s long-term resilience.
The position paper is the beginning of a broader advocacy journey. Following stakeholder validation, EPN will continue working with governments, faith-based organizations, development partners, manufacturers, and regional institutions to promote the paper’s recommendations and advance policies that strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing across Africa.
Achieving medicine security requires collective action. Through collaboration, innovation, and sustained advocacy, Africa has the opportunity to build stronger pharmaceutical systems that reduce dependence on imports, improve access to quality medicines, and advance the continent’s health sovereignty.
Together, we can build a future where medicines for Africa are increasingly developed, produced, and made accessible in Africa.