Table 2. Brief description of the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI).

○ The ANDI concept was launched in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2008 (http://www.andi-africa.org/) ○ ANDI is now hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) following the Memorandum of Understanding between the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNECA ○ ANDI has established a ministerial-level Board. The first Board meeting was held in January 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Minister of Science and Technology of South Africa and Minister of Public Health and Sanitation of Kenya were elected as co-chairs of the ANDI Board
Vision	Create a sustainable platform for R&D innovation in Africa to address Africa's own health needs
Mission	Promote and sustain African-led health product innovation that addresses African public health needs through the assembly of research networks, and build capacity to support human and economic development
Progress to date and future activities	○ 3 successful stakeholders meetings - first at Abuja in October 2008 in collaboration with the Nigerian government, second at Cape Town in October 2009 in collaboration with the South African government, and third at Nairobi in October 2010 in collaboration with the Kenyan government that attracted over 500 people in attendance ○ Development and endorsement of the strategic business plan for ANDI by stakeholders ○ ANDI Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee established ○ Review of the first Pan-African Centers of Excellence in health innovation completed ○ Review of the 1st ANDI call for projects in progress ○ Ongoing advocacy and resource mobilization ○ Establishment of 5 regional hubs in the 5 regions of Africa ○ Establishment and funding of ANDI portfolio of projects