Luanda: The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Angola's Regulatory Agency for Medicines and Health Technologies (ARMED), as part of ongoing efforts to promote Egypt's role in supporting health and pharmaceutical systems in Africa. The deal was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, on behalf of the EDA, and Angolan Minister for External Relations Tete Antonio, on the fringe of the first session of the Egypt-Angola Joint Committee, held in Luanda from Dec. 10 to 12, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Friday.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the MoU reflects the increasing confidence of sisterly African countries in Egyptian technical expertise, as well as Egypt's ability to lead initiatives for developing pharmaceutical regulatory systems, knowledge-sharing, and capacity building. The agreement is seen as a significant step in the EDA's strategic efforts to enhance Egyptian medicines' market accessibility throughout the continent, opening new prospects for industrial and regulatory cooperation. This, in turn, is expected to support trade exchange, increase the efficiency of pharmaceutical supply chains, and improve health services across Africa.

The agreement aligns with the EDA's strategy to expand regional and international partnerships and strengthen public-private integration, which supports Egypt's Vision 2030 for sustainable development. The MoU also aims to boost Egypt's position as a key supporter of pharmaceutical development in Africa, furthering its influence as a primary regulatory authority on the continent.