Reflections from the 38th AU Summit: Advancing Women’s Health, Local Manufacturing, and Collective Action

The 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit brought together Heads of State, ministers, development leaders, and technical experts for a week of high-level dialogue and critical decision-making on Africa’s most urgent priorities. Among the many impactful engagements was a powerful side event hosted by AUDA-NEPAD, centered on improving the health and well-being of women and girls through the Africa Demographic Dividend and Sexual & Reproductive Health (AD2SRH) programme.

The AD2SRH initiative, launched in 2023, builds on the African Union’s flagship frameworks—Agenda 2063, the Maputo Plan of Action, and the continental commitments toward Universal Health Coverage—while aligning strongly with global goals under SDG 3. The session created space for frank conversations on the actions needed to strengthen health systems, close persistent equity gaps, and elevate women and girls as essential drivers of Africa’s development.

A Call to Strengthen SRH Within Primary Healthcare

Speakers and panelists emphasized the centrality of integrating SRH services into primary healthcare, a step that is vital to ensuring that women and girls can access care closest to their communities. Key themes included:

• Increasing domestic health financing for SRH—a topic that sparked urgent, candid discussion.

• Addressing the social determinants of health, particularly economic inequality and gender barriers.

• Enhancing collaboration between Regional Economic Communities, national governments, and implementing partners.

• Ensuring the availability of high-quality health products, services, and skilled health workers.

Contributions from leaders such as H.E. Dr. Mekdes Daba (Minister of Health, Ethiopia), H.E. Nardos Bekele-Thomas (CEO, AUDA-NEPAD), Diene Keita (Deputy Executive Director, UNFPA), H.E. Sizakele MaKhumalo Zuma (former First Lady of South Africa), and Prof. Senait Fisseha (VP of Global Programmes, Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation) underscored the political will and expertise driving this agenda forward.

Strengthening Access to Essential Medicines for Women and Girls

One of the most consequential discussions—and an area of growing continental momentum—was the need to improve access to essential medical products for maternal and reproductive health, including:

• Life-saving medicines for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)

• Treatments for preeclampsia and eclampsia

• A full range of contraceptive choices

Dr. Mary Moehlmann played a contributory role as part of the expert group behind the development of the “24 Priority Medical Products for Local Manufacturing” report launched during the Summit. The report, spearheaded by AUDA-NEPAD, identifies key products—including several maternal health medicines—where local production would significantly strengthen availability, affordability, and autonomy across the continent.

The report is publicly accessible here:

🔗 https://lnkd.in/eSAurg8Y

Moving From Declarations to Action

A defining moment of the event came from Prof. Senait Fisseha, who reminded the audience that policy commitments must translate into implementation. Africa does not lack frameworks—what is needed now is collective, coordinated action. This spirit of action was embodied in the signing of an MoU between CHAI and AUDA-NEPAD, aimed at accelerating efforts to build a robust local pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem. The partnership signals a growing continental consensus: Africa’s health sovereignty depends on sustained political leadership, strategic partnerships, and aligned investments.

PAMOJA — “Together”

The Kiswahili word Pamoja, meaning “together,” featured prominently throughout discussions. It captured the essence of what Africa requires at this moment—unity across national borders, sectors, and institutions to build health systems that serve every woman and girl.

The 38th AU Summit made it clear that delivering on this vision will require:

• Political commitment

• Stronger local manufacturing capabilities

• A skilled health workforce

• Sustainable financing

• Regulatory harmonisation

• And, critically, meaningful engagement with the communities most affected

As the continent moves toward the next phase of Agenda 2063, ensuring that women and girls are at the centre of policy design and implementation will be fundamental to realising Africa’s demographic dividend.