Stakeholders Urged to Sustain Support as Ethiopia Eyes Regulatory Excellence in Vaccine Production
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, The Authority has called for strengthened collaboration with stakeholders and international partners to build on its recent global regulatory milestones.
At a high-profile appreciation ceremony held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Authority honored organizations and individuals who were instrumental in Ethiopia’s attainment of WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3) in medicine regulation, a landmark achievement reached six months ago.
Speaking at the event, the Authority Director General Heran Gerba expressed profound gratitude for the technical and financial support provided by partner organizations. She emphasized that this collaboration was vital in establishing a “stable, well-functioning, and integrated” regulatory system, ensuring the safety and quality of medical products entering the Ethiopian market.
Achieving ML3 signifies that a national regulatory authority operates at a level of excellence recognized by the World Health Organization. This status places Ethiopia among an elite group of African nations capable of rigorous oversight.
Speaking at the event, the Authority Director General Heran Gerba expressed profound gratitude for the technical and financial support provided by partner organizations. She emphasized that this collaboration was vital in establishing a “stable, well-functioning, and integrated” regulatory system, ensuring the safety and quality of medical products entering the Ethiopian market.
Achieving ML3 signifies that a national regulatory authority operates at a level of excellence recognized by the World Health Organization. This status places Ethiopia among an elite group of African nations capable of rigorous oversight.
While celebrating the current success, Director General Heran pivoted toward the next strategic objective: achieving Maturity Level 3 specifically for domestic vaccine production.
“Our next task is to stay ahead of the institutions we regulate and provide them with focused, expert support,” she stated. She noted that as Ethiopia scales up local manufacturing of medical supplies, a robust regulatory framework for vaccines is essential for national health security and self-reliance.
Dr. Tadele Burka, Deputy Chairperson of the Health, Social Development, Culture, and Sports Affairs Standing Committee at the House of Peoples’ Representatives, delivered the closing remarks. He underscored that regulatory excellence is more than a technical win; it represents a “transformation of public health” that safeguards the entire community.
“We must sustain this momentum and move toward even higher levels of excellence to ensure our health system remains resilient,” Dr. Burka urged.
The program concluded with an awards ceremony where trophies and certificates of recognition were presented to key stakeholders, partners, and individuals. The event also featured a panel discussion reflecting on the “uphill journey” to ML3 and outlining the strategic roadmap for future expansion.
