Workshop on the “Socialization of the African Union Harmonized Guideline for Registration of PPR vaccine in Africa”
AU-PANAVAC and WOAH as Joint Partners, organized the workshop on “socialization the African Union harmonized guideline for the registration of PPR vaccine in Africa” from 16 to 18 June 2025, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania under EU supported PPR eradication from Africa Project coordinated by the Africa Union Inter Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR). The workshop received also a technical support of the GALVmed for the guideline for the registration of PPR vaccine. The workshop was attended by directors or representatives of national veterinary vaccine production laboratories (Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe), National Regulatory Authorities (Ethiopia, Ghana, Gambia, Kenya, Morrocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, South Africa and Uganda), Regional Economic Communities (ECOWAS, WAEMU, UMA, IGAD, EAC, ECAAS, SADC), AU-IBAR, Africa Medecine Agency (AMA), African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), FAO.
The main objective of the three-day workshop meeting was to review progress made in implementing the recommendations on “Harmonisation of veterinary vaccine registration and vaccine manufacturing facility certification standards in Africa; Establishment of a Network of African Regulatory Authorities; and AU-PANVAC's role in auditing of vaccine manufacturers in collaboration with NRAs and RECs” made in July 2023 during the Abuja meeting.
The Ag. Director of AU-PANVAC, Dr. Bodjo Charles, said that this meeting aims to set common standards and guidelines that will help to conduct inspections and verify the quality of vaccine production, which will ensure that all production facilities produce quality vaccines. He also indicated that the establishment of a network of regulators in this veterinary vaccines and veterinary products in general will enhance the exchanging information among themselves.
Dr Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, reminded participants that ‘harmonisation of vaccine registration is no longer optional, but essential if Africa is to achieve the global eradication target set for 2030’.
Dr Karim Tounkara, the WOAH Regional Representative for Africa indicated that WOAH will continue to provide technical expertise by establishing international standards, strengthening veterinary services, recognising disease-free status and providing practical tools such as vaccine banks and diagnostic capabilities.
Other speakers at the workshop highlighted the devastating socio-economic burden of PPR. The disease affects more than 37 African countries, threatening the livelihoods of 300 to 500 million people and causing an estimated US$2.1 billion in annual losses.
By streamlining previously fragmented processes, the harmonised directive will:
• Accelerate the approval and availability of vaccines across borders,
• Reduce duplication of regulatory tasks, and
• Ensure that only safe and effective vaccines reach farmers and livestock breeders.
This development is widely seen as a radical change for the livestock sector in Africa, which remains heavily dependent on small ruminants for food security, trade and livelihoods.
Stakeholders agreed that effective surveillance, coupled with “vaccine vigilance” systems to monitor safety and efficacy, is essential to maintaining public confidence in vaccination campaigns. Discussions also highlighted the importance of digital platforms, innovative technologies and mutual recognition mechanisms to modernise the veterinary regulatory environment in Africa.
The workshop was an opportunity to present the updates on the establishment of a regulatory network for veterinary products in Africa, discuss on the documents on Guidelines of GMP for Audit and Certification of Vaccine Manufacturers and the Post Vaccination Monitoring (PVM).
The workshop also drew lessons from Africa's historic success in eradicating rinderpest, where rigorous quality control, post-vaccination surveillance and coordinated campaigns played a decisive role. These lessons are now being incorporated into PPR eradication efforts.
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary of Tanzania's Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, The Honourable Professor Riziki Shemdoe stated that this meeting was timely, coinciding with the official launch of the national livestock vaccination campaign by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Honourable Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan. He reaffirmed his country's commitment to the continental vision: "PPR is a serious threat to our livestock sector, but thanks to harmonised guidelines, coordinated vaccination and collective investment, Africa is closer than ever to eradicating this disease and securing livelihoods. "
The Dar es Salaam workshop therefore marks a turning point: harmonised regulations are no longer an aspiration, but a continental reality, supported by political will, scientific progress and financial commitment.