The Africa Public Health Foundation (APHF) hosted the Executive Director of the International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP) for a courtesy visit, providing an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and explore areas of mutual interest in advancing Africa’s public health and pharmaceutical manufacturing agenda.
The engagement focused on opportunities to build stronger partnerships around pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing, research and innovation, skills development and resource mobilisation.
Building a Stronger Continental Partnership
The meeting also explored plans for a potential side event that would bring together key stakeholders to advance dialogue on Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation priorities. Discussions highlighted the importance of engaging Africa CDC as a key continental partner and exploring opportunities for joint organisation of the proposed event with INASP.
The proposed approach would bring together stakeholders from different regions of Africa, including countries with growing pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation capabilities, alongside continental institutions, research organisations, foundations and other partners.
Resource mobilisation was another important area of discussion, with both organisations exploring opportunities to engage potential partners and funders around the proposed activities. The discussions underscored the value of developing a clear concept that articulates the rationale, objectives and expected outcomes of the proposed engagement, providing a basis for discussions with prospective partners and resource partners.
The organisations also considered opportunities to pursue competitive funding while building a broader coalition of partners around Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation agenda. For APHF and INASP, the engagement reflects a shared commitment to moving from dialogue to practical action by galvanizing partnerships, resources and expertise to support Africa’s ambitions for greater pharmaceutical self-reliance.
The courtesy visit marks an opportunity to build on the growing relationship between the two organisations and identify practical areas where collaboration can contribute to Africa’s health and development priorities.
