The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved regional guidelines to strengthen the regulation and integration of traditional medicine into the health systems of its Member States. The decision was made on January 23, 2026, in Cotonou, following a three-day validation meeting organized by the West African Health Organization (WAHO).
The meeting brought together officials from ministries of health, universities, research institutions, traditional medicine practitioners, technical experts, and development partners. Participants reviewed and validated a harmonized regional framework designed to regulate and promote traditional medicine across West Africa, focusing on safety, quality, evidence-based practice, and standardization.
The meeting emphasized the crucial role of traditional medicine in healthcare delivery, noting its accessibility, cultural relevance, and widespread community acceptance. Stakeholders highlighted that stronger regulation would enhance its contribution to Universal Health Coverage, aligning with the WHO Global Strategy for Traditional Medicine 2025–2034, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the ECOWAS Regional Health Policy.
WAHO Director General, Dr. Melchior Athanase J.C. Aïssi, called for the recognition of a modern African medicine that values indigenous knowledge, innovation, and collaboration with conventional healthcare. He reaffirmed WAHO’s mandate to harmonize practices across the region.
“The time has come for Africans to recognize the evolving African medicine that values indigenous knowledge. We commit to harmonizing regulatory frameworks and promoting effective integration for the benefit of all,” said Dr. Aïssi.
The ECOWAS Chair, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Brima Osaio Kamara, praised Member States for their collective efforts and reiterated his country’s commitment to integrating traditional medicine into national health systems in line with international standards.
A regional roadmap was adopted at the end of the meeting, outlining steps toward finalizing the policy document, drafting a Community Directive, and submitting it to the ECOWAS Assembly of Health Ministers for approval. The roadmap also includes supporting implementation across Member States through a monitoring and evaluation framework.
