Dr. Tina Chisenga, representing the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), emphasized that continued dependence on external supply chains leaves countries vulnerable, especially during public health emergencies. She noted that strengthening local manufacturing is critical to improving supply resilience, reducing lead times, and ensuring sustained access to essential health commodities when crises arise. Strengthening Supply Chain ResilienceBeyond regulatory standards, the experts explored broader strategies for strengthening local pharmaceutical health manufacturing through enhanced collaboration, resilient supply chains, and coordinated investments. Country experiences, including Ethiopia’s National Multi-Stakeholder Platform for Local Manufacturing (LoPID) and Kenya’s market-shaping initiatives, demonstrated how coordinated engagement between health, trade, and industry sectors can accelerate local manufacturing. Participants also agreed to officially rename the initiative as the Community of Practice on Regional Manufacturing of Health Products and Technologies, reflecting its broader regional mandate and long-term vision of advancing healthcare self-reliance across Eastern and Southern Africa