The African Medicines Agency (AMA) has officially commenced full operations at its Headquarters in Kigali, Rwanda. AMA’s operational launch is a step forward in strengthening Africa’s regulatory capacity, improving access to quality-assured medical products, and advancing public health across the continent.

AMA Director-General Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, to mark this milestone, paid a courtesy visit to Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana. She was accompanied by Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development. 

The meeting focused on strategic priorities for AMA’s operationalisation, including resource mobilisation and advocacy to encourage non-signatory AU Member States to ratify the AMA Treaty. Dr. Darko emphasized the importance of continental collaboration to ensure AMA’s success as a cornerstone of Africa’s health regulatory ecosystem. 

A key topic of discussion was the need to streamline roles and avoid duplication among AU health institutions, including AMA, Africa CDC, AUDA-NEPAD, and the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development. The transition of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) initiative into AMA was identified as a critical step, with Dr. Darko pledging to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and accelerated integration.