AMA has the unique opportunity to become one of the most efficient and modern regulatory systems in the world. This opportunity can rapidly transform into reality, by using the experience gained from a decade of harmonization activities in the continent, learnings gained during the pandemic and the swift implementation of modern and innovative solutions.

It will be the second cross-continental African health agency, following the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the agency to come into existence, 15 countries needed to ratify the treaty that established it — through a legal process that varies depending on the country. They also need to submit the documentation certifying the national ratification of the treaty with the AU. So far, 16 countries have ratified the treaty but the AU is waiting on four of these countries to submit their documentation to reach that threshold.

After receipt of documents from the 15th country, the treaty will come into force after 30 days, operationalizing the agency. The member states that ratified it can then make decisions on what form it will take.

Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Seychelles, and Sierra Leone have ratified the treaty and submitted their documentation. Chad, Cameroon, Gabon, Morocco, and Tunisia have ratified the treaty but they still need to submit the paperwork. Eight others have signed but are yet to ratify the treaty.