The 39th African Union Summit Addis Ababa Concludes with New Push for Health Sovereignty

Addis Ababa – The 39th African Union Summit Addis Ababa officially concluded on February 15, 2026, at the African Union headquarters. Continental leaders departed the capital having reaffirmed their commitment to African unity and a landmark shift toward the continent’s health sovereignty.

The 39th African Union Summit Addis Ababa brought together heads of state and senior officials to tackle peace, economic integration, and institutional reform. The session formally closed with remarks from Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who assumed the role of African Union Chairperson for 2026.

AU Leadership Commends Ethiopia

In his closing address, President Ndayishimiye thanked the Government and people of Ethiopia for hosting the high-level gathering.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to Ethiopia for ensuring a smooth and successful summit,” he stated. As the host nation and diplomatic heart of the continent, Ethiopia’s role was central to the decision-making process during the 39th African Union Summit Addis Ababa.

ACHIEVE Africa Initiative Launched on Summit Sidelines

A major highlight alongside the 39th African Union Summit Addis Ababa was the official launch of ACHIEVE Africa—Africa’s Research and Development Engine for Vaccine and Therapeutic Sovereignty.

The initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s medical independence by focusing on:

• Local Manufacturing: Scaling up vaccine production plants.
• Regulatory Harmonization: Coordinating drug standards across AU member states.
• Scientific Investment: Increasing funding for genomics and biomedical research.

African leaders reiterated the continental target of producing 60% of Africa’s vaccine needs locally by 2040, a goal seen as critical to reducing dependency on external supply chains.

Ethiopia’s Growing Regulatory Capacity

During discussions linked to the 39th African Union Summit Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s health leadership highlighted progress within the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA), which has achieved WHO Maturity Level 3 recognition. This milestone positions Ethiopia as a regional leader in vaccine production and export.

Economic Integration and Strategic

Vision The 39th African Union Summit Addis Ababa brought together heads of state and senior officials from across the continent to discuss peace, institutional reform, and economic integration. A key highlight of these discussions was Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s outline of Ethiopia’s maritime access and digital transformation strategy. The Prime Minister emphasized that for a nation of over 130 million people, securing reliable port outlets is a “matter of existence” and a fundamental requirement for sustainable growth within the framework of Agenda 2063.

Renewed Commitment to Agenda 2063

The 39th African Union Summit Addis Ababa concluded with renewed calls for the implementation of Agenda 2063—the AU’s long-term development blueprint. President Ndayishimiye officially declared the session closed, reaffirming Africa’s collective responsibility toward sustainable development and self-reliance.