African Medicines Agency Begins Full Operations as Director-General Meets Rwanda’s Minister of Health

Kigali: 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.According to Ghana News Agency, 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. Dr. Nsanzimana reaffirmed Rwanda's unwavering commitment to AMA's success, noting that as host country, Rwanda will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure the Agency delivers on its mandate for the benefit of all Africans.Also present at the meeting were Professor Emile Bienvenu, Director-General of the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, and senior members of the AMA leadership team, including the Director-General's Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor.