Overview

Co-hosted by the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) with funding support from the Gates Foundation

The DIA Africa Access Summit 2026 will bring together government and regulatory leaders, industry, global health organizations, patients, and other key stakeholders in Cairo to address barriers to sustainable patient access to medical products and health innovation across Africa.

Through scientific discussions, interactive workshops, and cross-sector dialogue, participants will explore interconnected challenges and practical solutions across regulatory collaboration, clinical research, financing, patient engagement, AI and digital technologies, manufacturing, procurement, patient safety, and supply resilience.

The Summit will conclude with the Cairo Call to Action, identifying shared priorities and opportunities for continued collaboration. An invitation-only Government Leadership Forum will also convene senior leaders for strategic discussions, with outcomes informing a post-Summit report.

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What you will learn

Examine key opportunities and challenges impacting healthcare access across Africa.
Explore strategies to strengthen health systems, financing, manufacturing, digital health, and supply chains.
Share best practices and innovative approaches that improve patient access.
Identify opportunities for regional and cross-sector collaboration.
Build partnerships that support sustainable healthcare solutions.

Learning objectives

Upon completion, participants should be able to:
- Describe key factors influencing sustainable patient access across Africa.
- Examine approaches to strengthening systems that support access to medical products and health innovation.
- Evaluate practical strategies for overcoming barriers that prevent innovation from reaching patients.
- Identify opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to advance patient access.
- Apply Summit insights to inform organizational priorities and next steps.

Program Committee

Mark Abdoo Associate Commissioner for Global Policy and Strategy
FDA, United States
Abdulrahim Alyahya Director
Biogen, Saudi Arabia
Zainab Aziz, MSc, RPh Associate Director- Regulatory Policy MEA
Novartis, South Africa
Christopher Colwell, MPA Vice President, International Government and Regulatory Affairs
US Pharmacopeia, United States
Delese Mimi Darko, MBA, RAC Director General
African Medicines Agency (AMA) , Rwanda
Tamei Elliott, MS Director, Global Scientific Content
DIA, United States
Asmaa Fouad Head Central Adm. of Biological, Innov. Products & Clinical Trials
Egyptian Drug Authority, Egypt
Ali Ghamrawy Chairman
Egyptian Drug Authority, Egypt
Amel Ghouila Senior Program Officer
Gates Foundation, United States
Martin Harvey Allchurch, LLM Head of International Affairs
European Medicines Agency, Netherlands
Osama Hatem EDA Chairman Associate for Policies & International Cooperation and Supervisor o
EDA, Egypt
Sarah Ibrahim, PharmD, PhD Deputy Center Director for Regulatory Programs - (CDER)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States
Tony Lakavage, JD Executive VP; Secretary, Board and Convention; Head, Global External Affairs
USP, United States
Kwaku Marfo, PharmD, MBA, MPH Africa Market Development Specialist
IQVIA, Ghana
David Mukanga, PhD, MPH Deputy Director, Africa Regulatory Systems
Gates Foundation, United States
John Mwangi Regulatory Policy Lead
Bayer, Kenya
Amira Deia Younes Director- Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), Science & Regulatory Policy
MSD, United Arab Emirates

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