My dear Sisters, Nardos, Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, and Mimi, Director-General of African Medicines Agency,
Distinguished Delegates,
Colleagues,

It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you all to this Joint Formal Handover Ceremony. Today marks a defining milestone in Africa’s collective journey toward health sovereignty, as we formally affirm the full institutional independence of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) through the transfer of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) and African Union Smart Safety Surveillance (AU-3S) initiatives from AUDA-NEPAD, together with the relevant operational processes previously stewarded by the African Union Commission.

It is often said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. When AMRH was launched in 2009, many doubted the distance Africa could travel in building a continental medicines regulatory system. Yet, through determination, resilience and visionary leadership, by past and present Commissioners, Directors and dedicated staff across our institutions, we have advanced steadily, brick by brick. This collective effort culminated in the adoption of the AMA Treaty in February 2019 and its entry into force on 5th November, 2021, achieved in record time. In this regard, I wish to pay special tribute to Dr. Michel Sidibé, whose leadership and contributions were instrumental and whose legacy remains firmly embedded in this achievement.

As the Commission and AUDA-NEPAD have worked as close collaborators from the outset, I wish to assure the Director-General of AMA that this transition does not signal separation, withdrawal or abandonment. Rather, it reflects institutional maturity.

The Commission will continue to provide strategic support for as long as it is required. We remain united in our shared mission to advance health equity, strengthen functional health systems and promote sustainable financial independence for our people. This is a commitment I am fully prepared to pursue throughout my tenure as Commissioner.

Allow me to state unequivocally that I have full confidence in the leadership of the AMA Director-General. Her professional track record is exemplary. As demonstrated in her previous roles, we are confident that under her capable leadership, anchored in a bold vision, sound planning and effective implementation, AMA will accelerate its progress toward achieving WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) Maturity Level 3.
Dear colleagues,

As AMA formally consolidates all aspects of medicines regulation, I extend my sincere appreciation to everyone present today and those working tirelessly behind the scenes, for their outstanding contributions throughout the various phases of growth, including the many challenges we endured together. We have demonstrated trust, upheld responsibility as a badge of honour, preserved institutional memory and shown complete readiness for this transition.

To our development partners and stakeholders, we express our deep gratitude for your steadfast technical, financial and political support from the earliest days to this moment. We particularly acknowledge your willingness to walk with us differently, by aligning with and following the leadership of the African Union.

This transition is one of confidence, optimism and faith: confidence in the systems we have built; optimism in the leadership entrusted with this mandate, and faith in Africa’s continued progress toward ensuring safe, efficacious and quality-assured medical products for all its people.

I reiterate that the Commission and for that matter, the Department stands firmly behind the African Medicines Agency as it moves from foundational establishment to full implementation, and from vision to lasting impact. As a critical African Union institution created by Africans for Africans, AMA plays a central role in strengthening Africa’s health sovereignty, safety and security through credible and harmonised regulatory systems. It, therefore, deserves and will continue to receive all the protection and support necessary to succeed.

My dear cherished Sisters,
In the course of my preparation for this retreat, it dawned on me that, at this moment in history, three women are simultaneously at the helm of the African Union Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), AUDA-NEPAD, and the African Medicines Agency (AMA). This convergence carries powerful strategic, institutional and symbolic significance, far beyond the important matter of gender representation alone. This is not a mere coincidence. It is a moment of responsibility, and indeed, a mission to be fulfilled.

It calls upon us to work together as a unified strategic leadership team, anchored in mutual trust, respect for our distinct institutional mandates and a shared commitment to people-centred development. By deliberately aligning policy leadership at the African Union Commission, implementation and financing through AUDA-NEPAD and regulatory authority vested in AMA, we have a unique opportunity to deliver coherent, credible and transformative outcomes for Africa’s health and development agenda.

Going forward, our collaboration must be structured, outcome-driven and firmly institutionalised. It must prioritise access, equity, safety and Africa’s health sovereignty above institutional silos. Through coordinated decision-making, a unified voice in our engagement with partners and inclusive, values-based leadership, we can strengthen African systems, shift ownership decisively toward African institutions and build solutions that are both sustainable and responsive to the needs of our people.

If we rise fully to this moment and to this responsibility, Africa will be the ultimate beneficiary.

I thank you for your attention.