Ambassador Christian Eichhorst, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt, on 25 June 2026 called for stronger partnerships between governments, the private sector, and development partners to build sustainable health product manufacturing ecosystems in Africa, warning that the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in the Middle East have exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains. Speaking at the Global Private Sector Engagement Forum 2026 in Egypt, Eichhorst stressed that regional and local manufacturing is essential for security of supply and equitable access, citing the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a concrete example of why diversified production matters.
Eichhorst anchored his remarks in the EU's Global Gateway strategy, which makes health a central pillar of sustainable investment. He highlighted the Global Health Resilience Initiative (GHRI), announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union speech in September 2025 and formally adopted on 13 May 2026. The GHRI sets out five priorities: strengthening the global health architecture, country-led health systems strengthening, prevention and preparedness for health crises, diversifying supply chains and supporting local manufacturing of health products, and countering disinformation to foster trust in science. Eichhorst described the initiative as drawing on proven solutions from the EU healthcare model, such as universal health coverage and primary care delivery.
A concrete example of EU engagement is the Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+) initiative, under which the EU and seven European countries have mobilised over €2 billion to support the African Union's goal of producing 60% of vaccines on the continent by 2040. Eichhorst emphasised that strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing requires more than infrastructure: it needs sound policy frameworks, predictable regulation, investment in skills, research and development, technology transfer, quality assurance, and market confidence. He called for collaboration between public and private sectors, manufacturers and regulators, and national authorities and international partners.
The speech carries moderate impact for several stakeholders. African governments and regional bodies stand to gain from EU investment and technical support for local pharmaceutical production, potentially reducing dependence on imports and improving health security. EU pharmaceutical companies and technology-transfer partners may benefit from new market opportunities and partnerships under MAV+, but could face competition from emerging local producers. African patients and health systems could see improved access to affordable, quality-assured medicines, though benefits depend on effective implementation and regulatory harmonisation. EU taxpayers fund the €2 billion commitment, with returns contingent on long-term health security and economic stability in partner regions. The GHRI and MAV+ are expected to guide EU programming and budget allocations in the coming years, with further operational details to be developed through Team Europe cooperation.