The African Development Fund has approved a grant of $14.26 million to the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) to strengthen healthcare systems, improve medical regulation, and enhance regional health security across seven West African countries. The initiative aims to improve access to quality healthcare services while increasing preparedness for public health and nutrition emergencies.
The funding will support health sector development in Benin, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo. These countries face common healthcare challenges that require coordinated regional responses rather than isolated national interventions.
A major component of the project focuses on strengthening pharmaceutical regulation and quality assurance systems. WAHO plans to enhance the institutional capacities of regulatory authorities in Benin, The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, helping them achieve Level 3 of the global benchmarking maturity scale. This advancement is expected to improve oversight of medicines and health products while increasing confidence in national regulatory systems.
The initiative will also improve laboratory capacity throughout the region. In The Gambia, national quality control laboratories will receive equipment and tools necessary for testing and evaluating medicines and healthcare products. Enhanced laboratory capabilities are expected to improve quality assurance processes and help protect populations from substandard or counterfeit medical products.
Cross-border health infrastructure will receive additional support through the establishment of “One Health” laboratories in Benin and Togo. These facilities are intended to strengthen regional cooperation in disease surveillance, public health monitoring, and pharmaceutical quality control. The project recognizes the interconnected nature of health challenges and promotes collaborative approaches to addressing emerging threats.
Healthcare facilities in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will benefit from investments in biomedical and diagnostic equipment. Funding will support the repair, maintenance, and upgrading of critical healthcare technologies, including intensive care unit equipment and diagnostic tools used in the detection and treatment of cervical and breast cancer. These improvements are expected to enhance healthcare delivery and expand access to specialized medical services.
The program also includes efforts to strengthen health workforce planning and investment. Activities will involve assessments of labor market needs within the healthcare sector, the development of national investment plans for health personnel, and the creation of strategic agreements aimed at improving workforce capacity. Studies examining opportunities for health sector investment by the African diaspora will also be undertaken to identify additional sources of support and financing.
According to the African Development Bank Group, the project addresses challenges that extend across national borders, including communicable diseases, shortages of healthcare professionals, weak pharmaceutical regulatory systems, and limited laboratory infrastructure. Strengthening regional cooperation is viewed as essential for improving health security and ensuring more effective responses to shared health threats.
The grant is also expected to generate economic benefits. Improved regulatory systems and laboratory services should reduce delays in medicine quality testing, creating a more favorable environment for pharmaceutical manufacturers and suppliers operating in beneficiary countries. Enhanced oversight may also help reduce the circulation of counterfeit medicines, improving public safety and strengthening healthcare markets.
An additional focus on youth training and skills development is projected to create approximately 300 jobs, with more than 40 percent expected to be filled by women. This component supports both health sector development and broader socioeconomic goals by creating employment opportunities while building local expertise.
As the specialized health institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), WAHO plays a central role in coordinating regional health initiatives, mobilizing resources, and aligning partner support with regional priorities. Through this new investment, the organization aims to strengthen healthcare resilience, improve service quality, and advance progress toward universal health coverage across West Africa.
