The African Medicines Agency (AMA) and the African Union Development Agency–NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) have concluded the transition of continental medicines regulatory programmes, in line with the mandate of the African Union.

The transition transfers the technical, financial, digital, operational, legal, and regulatory assets and functions of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) and African Union Smart Safety Surveillance (AU3S) programmes to AMA. This step consolidates responsibility for continental medicines regulation within AMA and ensures continuity of regulatory activities across continental, regional, and national levels.

The event took place under the guidance of the High Commissioner of the Rwandan mission to Zambia, H.E. Emmanuel Bugingo, who reiterated the Government of Rwanda’s full support for AMA’s operationalisation; and the African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), H.E. Amb. Amma Twum-Amoah, whose presence underscored the African Union’s commitment to a coherent and coordinated health regulatory architecture.

While AMRH and AU3S were implemented under AUDA NEPAD, their activities are now formally embedded within AMA’s institutional framework, strengthening regulatory coherence, accountability, and sustainability under a single continental authority.

On the margins of the transition, leaders from Africa’s health institutions including H.E. Dr Delese Mimi Darko Director-General of AMA, H.E. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, H.E. Amb. Amma Twum-Amoah, Commissioner of AU-HHS, and H.E. Dr Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC; reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in support of Africa’s health security and patient protection.

Speaking at the event, H.E. Dr Delese Mimi Darko stated:

“Through close coordination with Africa CDC, AU-HHS, and other AU institutions, AMA is committed to ensuring that medicines regulation on the continent remains strong, coherent, and focused on protecting the health of patients in Africa.”

This transition reinforces institutional clarity and positions AMA to carry forward continental medicines regulatory functions in a consistent, predictable, and patient-centred manner.