The African Development Fund has approved a $14.26 million grant to strengthen healthcare systems and medical regulation across seven West African countries.
The funding, provided through the concessional arm of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, will support the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in improving health systems, regulatory capacity and preparedness for public health emergencies in Benin, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo.
The programme aims to enhance the quality and consistency of healthcare delivery while addressing cross-border health challenges affecting the wider Economic Community of West African States region.
AfDB Director General for West Africa Lamin Barrow said coordinated regional action is critical.“The Bank’s support is justified by the cross-border nature of health security risk, which requires coordinated regional solutions,” Barrow said.
Barrow said key challenges include communicable diseases, shortages of skilled health workers, weak regulatory systems and limited laboratory capacity.
Under the programme, regulatory authorities in Benin, The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone will be strengthened to reach level 3 on the global benchmarking maturity scale. The project will also equip laboratories in The Gambia to improve the quality control of medicines and health products.
The initiative includes plans to establish cross-border “One Health” laboratories in Benin and Togo, alongside upgrades to biomedical and diagnostic equipment in healthcare facilities across several countries. This includes support for intensive care units and diagnostic services for conditions such as cervical and breast cancer.
The programme also aims to improve regional planning and investment in the health sector. This includes a study on diaspora investment opportunities, the development of national workforce plans and assessments of labour market needs in selected countries.
WAHO said the project is expected to benefit private-sector pharmaceutical manufacturers by reducing testing delays and improving the detection of counterfeit medicines.
The initiative will also support job creation, with around 300 positions expected to be generated, more than 40% of which will go to women.
