The government of Rwanda has signed a host agreement deal with a pan-African agency, the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation (APTF), to boost the use of technology in the medical area in Africa.
The APTF deal was signed on Monday, December 18, following the request by African member states for the institution.
Data from the AfDB show that, although producing only 1% of the vaccines required, Africa imports over 70% of its pharmaceuticals at a cost of up to $14 billion yearly.
According to Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Vincent Biruta, who signed it, the APTF agreement represents the collective commitment to using science and technology in the pharmaceutical ecosystem to promote research, development, and fair knowledge exchange for the benefit of society.
Biruta highlighted that they hope that similar efforts be multiplied across the continent, noting that the signing is the result of shared commitment, collaboration, and creativity in expanding the pharmaceutical industry for the benefit of people on the entire continent.
The AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina, stated that in addition to negotiating access to manufacturing techniques shielded by intellectual property, the foundation will create an environment to promote the revitalisation of the regional pharmaceutical industry in Africa.
“The success will depend on building local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, assuring technology transfer and access to intellectual property rights, manufacturing processes and systems, equally important is the need to build the pharmaceutical and biomedical research and development ecosystems that can support world-class local pharmaceutical industries.”
European Investment Bank Vice President, Gelsomina Vilglotti, also signed a partnership agreement with the APTF to support the foundation’s programmes advancement.
“Protecting and improving public health can only be achieved by improving access to technology and skills and enhancing resilience in the face of crisis. Our global focus extends to improving primary healthcare and diagnostics, combating diseases such as polio and scaling down the life sciences across Africa.” She said.
Vilgiotti commended Rwanda for being a beacon for transformation in the healthcare sector in Africa by hosting various institutions, including the forthcoming African Medicine Agency.
What is the APTF?
Following the request, the African Development Bank (AfDB) Board of Directors set up and approved the institution in June 2022.
The sole aim of the APTF is to boost access to technology for the manufacturing of the full range of pharmaceutical products in the continent.
It will seek to advance technical transfer and access, enable technological advancements pertinent to Africa’s pharmaceutical industry, and establish several targeted initiatives aimed at augmenting technology assimilation in the continent’s public and private sectors.