Rwanda’s Ministry of Health officially on November 1 handed over a modern flagship facility (Alliance Building) located in Kigali to serve as the headquarters for the African Medicines Agency (AMA), a specialised African Union (AU) agency aimed at harmonizing medical regulations across the continent.

Alongside this building, 10 vehicles were donated to the agency, supporting its mission to improve access to safe, high-quality medical products across Africa.

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The establishment of AMA in Rwanda follows the Headquarters Agreement signed between the Government of Rwanda and the African Union Commission in June 2023, setting the foundation for the agency’s operations in Africa. AMA’s mission is to improve access to quality, safe, and effective medical products across the continent, addressing public health needs and bolstering pharmaceutical standards.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, said that AMA will play a crucial role in ensuring that all health products on the market undergo thorough verification and checks before reaching countries, hospitals, and pharmacies.

"By hosting the headquarters of the African Medicines Agency, the Government of Rwanda reaffirms its commitment to advancing healthcare standards and ensuring access to high-quality medical products for all Africans,” said Nsanzimana.

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"The AMA will enhance confidence in the safety of health products, promote cooperation in regulatory decisions, and facilitate the movement of medical products across the continent. Together, we are laying the foundation for a healthier, more self-reliant Africa.”

The African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, Minata Samate Cessouma, said that three years ago, the AU embarked on a crucial quest to select a host for the AMA, and through a rigorous evaluation process, Rwanda emerged as the leader.

"This decision was not made lightly. The collaborative effort that brought us here today is a testament to the collective vision and dedication of the African Union and its Member States. This journey has been marked by relentless advocacy for better health services, regulatory harmonisation, and establishing a strong, centralised agency to address the continent&039;s pharmaceutical needs,” said Cessouma.

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"By operationalising the AMA, we are laying the foundation for a healthier Africa, free from the shackles of substandard and falsified medicines,” she said.

The AU Commission is concurrently moving forward with the recruitment of the Director General (DG) of AMA which is currently in the final stages of selection. The recruitment process has attracted a diverse range of candidates from AMA State Parties, signalling robust interest and confidence in the agency’s future, it is noted.

The chosen DG will be announced at the February 2025 AU Summit, further cementing the agency’s operational foundation.