On July 13 and 14, 2026, the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, hosted the Regional Investment Forum in the Health Sector, a high-level gathering dedicated to mobilizing investments, strengthening partnerships between countries of the South, and supporting health and pharmaceutical sovereignty in African countries and member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The forum was jointly organized by the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the World Health Organization, the Islamic Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and their partners. The forum underscored the strategic role of the Centre as a leading regional platform for promoting trade, investment, and economic cooperation among member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
As a partner in organizing the forum, the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade helped bring together governments, international organizations, multilateral development banks, the private sector, investors, investment promotion agencies, regulatory authorities, and industry associations, creating a unique space for dialogue and partnership building aimed at supporting the sustainable development of the health sector.
The forum was chaired by His Excellency Mr. Tidjane Thiam, Minister of Health of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and supervised by Ms. Latifa Bouabdellaoui, Director General of the Islamic Centre for Trade Development.
As a partner in organizing this event, the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade played a pivotal role in bringing together key international and regional players to promote investment in the health sector, strengthen regional value chains, and accelerate economic integration among member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The forum witnessed broad participation from institutions, distinguished by the presence of the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the Assistant Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in charge of Economic Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Kawisa Sengendo, along with a number of health ministers and heads and representatives of African federations for pharmaceutical industry and production.
Over two days, ministers, government representatives, international organizations, financial institutions, regulatory bodies, investors, industrialists, technical partners and experts participated in high-level ministerial sessions, thematic seminars and meetings dedicated to presenting investment opportunities in the health and pharmaceutical industries.
The forum's work was based on two main roundtables.
The first roundtable, held at the ministerial level with the participation of the World Health Organization and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, addressed ways to accelerate investments in the health sector, strengthen health systems, and create an enabling environment for public-private partnerships. The WHO representative also presented the Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP), an initiative aimed at mobilizing sustainable, high-impact financing to strengthen primary health care and health systems in low- and middle-income countries.
The second roundtable brought together the heads and representatives of pharmaceutical manufacturers' associations in West Africa. Discussions focused on financing local pharmaceutical production, facilitating market access, harmonizing regulatory frameworks, technology transfer, strengthening industrial capacity, and establishing regional pharmaceutical value chains.
The participants agreed that investment in health is a fundamental pillar for building human capital, enhancing societal resilience, and supporting economic growth and sustainable development, emphasizing that health is a strategic investment, not a financial burden. They also highlighted the vital role of the private sector in financing health infrastructure, developing the pharmaceutical industry, encouraging innovation and scientific research, and expanding access to medicines and health services.
The forum served as a distinguished platform for dialogue among governments, international organizations, multilateral development banks, investors, the private sector, and economic actors. It also helped build bridges between entrepreneurs and financial partners, thereby strengthening public-private partnerships and fostering cooperation between African countries and member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Adoption of the Nouakchott Declaration
The forum concluded, after two days of fruitful discussions, with the adoption of the “Nouakchott Declaration on Strengthening Investment in the Health Sector in OIC Member States: From Strategy to Implementation.”
This declaration embodies the shared will of the participants to make health a strategic sector for investment and an engine for economic growth and sustainable development, and calls, in particular, for:
- Accelerating the regional integration of health systems and pharmaceutical markets;
- Strengthening national regulatory and supervisory bodies, and encouraging regulatory convergence;
- Supporting local production of medicines, vaccines, medical supplies and active pharmaceutical ingredients;
- Developing innovative financing mechanisms and encouraging public and private investments;
- Developing industrial partnerships, transferring technology, and creating regional centers of excellence;
- Strengthening the resilience of health systems and supply chains;
- Investing in scientific research, biotechnology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and human capital development.
The Nouakchott Declaration also stipulates the creation of a follow-up mechanism, including the organization of periodic meetings and the preparation of reports on progress made in implementing the adopted commitments. By adopting this declaration, the participants affirmed their determination to make Nouakchott the starting point for a new dynamic aimed at translating political commitments into practical, tangible, and measurable actions, thereby contributing to strengthening health and pharmaceutical sovereignty, consolidating regional integration, and ensuring the health security of their populations.
As an economic cooperation body and a partner in organizing the Forum, the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade renews its commitment to continue mobilizing governments, international organizations, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and investors to accelerate the implementation of structural projects in the areas of health, pharmaceuticals, and regional value chains, in service of the interests of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
In conclusion, the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade extends its sincere thanks and gratitude to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for their warm welcome and hospitality, and for their active contribution to the success of this high-level regional event.
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