SHI supported the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to address regulatory and policy bottlenecks affecting access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics across Africa.  The work identified priority constraints in clinical trial authorisation and marketing approval processes, and clarified Africa CDC’s convening role alongside continental mechanisms such as AVAREF and AMRH.  The initiative resulted in an evidence-based position paper and implementation roadmap, enabling engagement with Ministers of Health and Heads of State on actionable, Africa-led reforms during a critical phase of the pandemic.