African Regulatory Authorities Launch Steering Committee to Strengthen Cooperation

On July 7, 2025, Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control hosted leaders from seven other WHO Maturity Level 3 regulatory authorities in Abuja for a high-level meeting focused on strengthening regulatory collaboration across Africa. The event marked the launch of a Steering Committee under a shared Memorandum of Understanding on Regulatory Reliance, signed earlier this year, which aims to streamline regulatory processes, reduce duplication, and accelerate access to essential health products. Supported by the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Africa CDC, and the African Medicines Agency, the meeting also advanced integration with the upcoming Regulatory Information Sharing Portal and aligned efforts with the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism. The newly formed Steering Committee will guide strategic decisions and ensure coordination between national and regional priorities.