Al-Ghamrawy: Egypt’s hosting of the summit reflects the continent’s confidence in the leadership of our regulatory system
Al-Ghamrawy: The Authority supports African integration and the establishment of strong pharmaceutical systems to achieve self-sufficiency across the continent
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Dr. Ali Al-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority, inaugurated the 5th African Pharmaceutical Regulatory Summit (PharmaReg AfriSummit 2025), hosted in Cairo from 2 to 5 November 2025, with the participation of high-level African and international representatives, including representatives from African national regulatory authorities, international organizations, and development partners.
In his opening speech, Dr. Al-Ghamrawy welcomed the delegates to Cairo — the cradle of civilization and the hub of African pharmaceutical regulatory ambition. He affirmed that Egypt’s hosting of this significant continental event reflects the growing African confidence in the regulatory leadership of the Egyptian Drug Authority and underscores the Authority’s ongoing commitment to supporting African integration and building robust, self-sustaining pharmaceutical systems that ensure the continent’s health security.
Al-Ghamrawy noted that the world today is anticipating how Africa will transform from a recipient of pharmaceutical innovation into a producer, through regulatory harmonization and mutual reliance among African drug authorities, which will ensure faster access to safe, effective, and affordable pharmaceutical products and vaccines, thereby contributing to achieving health equity and saving lives across the continent.
During his speech, He emphasized that “Regulatory convergence is not merely a technical process — it is a unified language of pharmaceutical products regulation. Whether developed in Cairo, manufactured in Abuja, or distributed in Nairobi, every product must adhere to the same trusted standards, serving one noble purpose: to heal, to protect, and to give hope.” He added that Africa is no longer a continent of untapped potential, but one of emerging excellence, where its scientists, regulators, and innovators are ready to provide solutions — not only for Africa, but for the entire world.
He highlighted Egypt’s leading manufacturing capabilities in pharmaceutical products and medical devices, noting that it includes 179 pharmaceutical factories, 150 medical supplies factories, 4 biological product facilities, and 5 factories for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). These figures demonstrate Egypt’s steadfast commitment to being part of the solution for achieving African self-reliance in healthcare.
The EDA Chairman also stressed that the Authority remains committed to strengthening cooperation with African regulatory agencies through experience exchange and capacity building in the fields of inspection, registration, regulation, and pharmacovigilance, thereby contributing to the establishment of a harmonized and integrated continental regulatory framework.
He concluded his speech by emphasizing that Cairo — a city that bridges history and the promise of the future — opens its arms to all efforts aimed at building a healthier and more self-reliant Africa, expressing his hope that this summit would serve as a launchpad for deeper partnerships and tangible outcomes that fulfil the continent’s aspirations for a safer, more sustainable pharmaceutical future.