Africa in the Digital Revolution Era
The 24th edition of the International Pharmaceutical Forum (FPI) took place from April 30 to May 2, 2025, in Tunis, gathering experts and professionals from the pharmaceutical sector around the theme of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on transforming pharmaceutical value chains, particularly in Africa.
Transforming Pharmaceutical Value Chains in Africa: The Role of AI
During the plenary session titled "Transforming Pharmaceutical Value Chains in Africa: The Role of AI," moderator Dr. Mohamed Larbi Jelassi emphasized the need for Africa to seize the opportunity. According to him, the digital revolution, like the African continent, is emerging. "It's a potential lever to accompany our demographic boom and our aspiration for a better quality of life," he declared. He also highlighted that innovation should not simply follow extractive models but rather place humans and the environment at the heart of value chain transformation.
AI: A Catalyst to Overcome African Challenges
Professor Adel Guitouni, from the University of Victoria, Canada, spoke about the role of AI in transforming pharmacy and healthcare in Africa. In a context of multiple crises – climate change, social inequalities, and geopolitical conflicts – he highlighted Africa's enormous potential, a continent undergoing demographic and economic transformation. He cited statistics indicating that by 2050, Africa will have over 830 million young people between 15 and 35 years old, a pharmaceutical market estimated between 14 and 18 billion dollars, with a predicted growth rate of 30%.
For Professor Guitouni, AI can play a central role in managing pharmaceutical value chains in Africa, facilitating access to medicines and optimizing logistics, even in hard-to-reach areas. He also mentioned innovative projects, such as the use of drones for medicine distribution in remote regions, or advances in electronic financing, which have emerged in Africa through telecommunications operators.
Responding to Urgency with AI
During an animated exchange, Professor Guitouni explained that AI is not just a technological luxury but an urgency for Africa. "We have other challenges to address, such as access to basic medicines and health sovereignty, but AI is a key to addressing these problems sustainably," he added. He emphasized that, although the challenges are enormous, AI can enable Africa to become a model of transformation for the rest of the world.
AI at the Service of the Environment and Society
The professor went on to explain that a paradigm shift is necessary to integrate AI. The example of the largest natural carbon sequestrator, the tree, was used to illustrate the importance of collaboration in ecological and economic systems. AI, like the tree, must function in harmony with the environment and society to create sustainable solutions.
"The most effective systems do not function in isolation," Guitouni emphasized. "AI, like nature, must learn to collaborate with other actors in the value chain, whether they are human, environmental, or technological."
He also addressed the integration of AI in concrete projects, such as pandemic management and improving the efficiency of pharmaceutical distribution chains, and emphasized that Africa has assets to lead this technological revolution.
