By Edward Adjei FRIMPONG
African leaders must adopt innovative strategies to attract private sector investment to boost healthcare funding, Dr. Wiltshire Johnson, Programme Coordinator of the Integrated Vector Management (IVM) under the auspices of African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), has said.
Such initiatives, he indicated, have become crucial for promoting self-reliance in health provision across the continent, as Africa faces considerable health challenges due to limited private sector investment.
He said, “In 2021, external funding represented approximately 45 percent of Africa’s total health expenditure, while private sector investment in the continent’s health sector accounted for a mere 1.1 percent of global health investments.
Inadequate investment in the manufacturing of medical products hampers our ability to control and treat diseases such as malaria. Alarmingly, 95 percent of global malaria cases occur in Africa, and 96 percent of malaria-related deaths are reported on the continent.”
“We have gotten to the stage in development where Africa countries need to put themselves in the driving seats in supporting initiatives that will provide solutions to Africa’s health problems.
“For far too long, AU member states have relied on external interventions designed and researched elsewhere, which are often not suited for our unique health landscape,” Dr. Johnson stated.
He was speaking on AUDA-NEPAD’s initiatives and progress in governance and capacity-building efforts related to synthetic biology, particularly on gene drives during the 2nd Global Congress of the Africa Genetic Biocontrol Consortium held in Accra in March 2025.
The four-day congress was under the theme “Harnessing Biocontrol Potential Solutions in A Changing Climate.” It attracted about 150 participants from 15 countries to dialogue on genetic biocontrol technologies within the African context.
He raised serious concerns about the significant threat posed by the importation of substandard medications, attributing this issue to inadequate regulation and Africa’s inability to produce most of its drug supply, adding “this reliance on imports has created a fertile ground for counterfeit drug dealers, exacerbated by smuggling and porous borders. Some individuals in the drug supply chain also prioritize profit over quality, compounding the problem.”
To combat these issues and improve the quality of medicines available in Africa, AUDA-NEPAD, through the African Medicines Agency (AMA), is pursuing the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa (PMP 24). This groundbreaking initiative aims to empower African nations to produce their own priority medical products.
Dr. Johnson explained that PMP 24 seeks to enhance Africa’s self-sufficiency in essential medicines, which is vital for ensuring reliable access to healthcare solutions. “By focusing on local manufacturing, the AU envisions a future where African nations can independently meet their medical needs,” he concluded.
