At a time when global financing for reproductive health is evolving, countries across West and Central Africa are stepping up to take greater ownership of their health systems.
From 31 March to 3 April 2026 in Cotonou, representatives from 15 countries, including all 12 ECOWAS Member States, as well as São Tomé and Príncipe, Congo, and Mauritania, convened alongside officials from ministries of health, ministries of finance and budget, and Central Medical Stores.
The Joint Early Warning System (SAP) 2026 Workshop marked a pivotal moment in rethinking how reproductive health commodities are financed, planned, and delivered.
Organized jointly by UNFPA West and Central Africa Office, West African Health Organisation (WAHO), and the Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) Coalition, the workshop marks a strategic turning point: from reliance on external funding toward sustainable, domestically driven solutions that ensure women and girls have uninterrupted access to essential reproductive health services.
Anticipating Needs, Closing Gaps
Access to reproductive health commodities is not just about supply—it is about systems, financing, and foresight. As funding landscapes evolve, the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Programme’s Rapid Refresh initiated in 2025 calls for countries to align procurement plans with real demand, national budget frameworks, and long-term sustainability.
By bringing stakeholders together early in the fiscal cycle, the workshop enables countries to validate their needs for 2026–2027 while identifying financing gaps before they affect service delivery. It also supports stronger alignment between procurement processes and national budget timelines, while reinforcing domestic resource mobilization strategies and helping countries chart realistic pathways toward financial autonomy.
This proactive approach represents a shift from reactive crisis management to strategic, data-driven planning.
Building Stronger National Systems
Throughout the week, participants worked hands-on to strengthen their capacity in reviewing their supply planning, identifying the financial gaps, and agreeing on strategies for domestic resource mobilization. By using standardized tools such as Global Family Planning VAN and sharing best practices, countries are not only improving their procurement systems but also reinforcing the link between data, decision-making, and financing.
The workshop also fosters regional collaboration. By consolidating demand across countries, it opens opportunities for pooled procurement, improved pricing, and more efficient supply chains—critical gains in a constrained financial environment.
Ms Ednilza Solonge Gomes de Barros, Coordinator of the Reproductive Health Programme/Expanded Programme on Immunisation for the Sao Tome delegation said “We face major supply chain challenges, including lack of reliable data, forecasts based on estimates, weak logistics systems, and strong dependence on external financing. Despite this, a national fund has been established and, since 2025, the country has begun investing in contraceptive procurement, with USD 40,000 already allocated in the 2026 state budget.”
This joint UNFPA–WAHO initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening health systems across the region. With additional participation from ACAME and Central Medical Stores from all the 15 countries, the discussions go beyond theory, focusing on practical solutions to improve procurement efficiency and affordability.
UNFPA’s engagement ensures that countries are supported not only technically, but also strategically—helping them advocate for increased national investment and prioritize reproductive health within public budgets.
Turning Policy into Action
Beyond technical discussions, the workshop is designed to translate policy into tangible action. Each country is expected to leave with a procurement plan for 2026–2027 for further finalization at country level, a clear understanding of its financing gaps, and stronger positioning to influence national budget processes for 2027. The development of country-specific roadmaps will further support the transition toward sustainable financing.
These outcomes will directly contribute to stronger, more resilient health systems, ensuring that lifesaving reproductive health commodities remain consistently available and that women, young people and adolescents can exercise informed choice over their reproductive health.
