The ABRF is a network of regulators and allied stakeholders operating as a Continental Technical Working Group (CTWG) under the AMRH Initiative, dedicated to cooperation and coordination in blood products regulation across Africa. The ABRF works closely with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to increase access to quality assured, safe and effective blood products through harmonizing of regulations, strengthening of national regulatory systems and enhancement of international cooperation in this area.

The purpose of the ABRF (or “Forum”) is to facilitate access to quality, safe, and affordable blood products for all people of Africa through continental enhancement of the work of the RECs to advance technical and regulatory harmonization and cooperation among the Member States.

The scope of the Forum is to:

1. Promote information sharing and reliance for strengthening and harmonizing regulatory systems for blood products;

2. Provide advocacy and communications targeted to policy makers and the general public to enhance understanding and support of the need for blood regulation;

3. Strengthen capacity of national blood regulators through external assessment against the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool and cooperation in addressing identified gaps and deficiencies.

The roles and responsibilities of the Forum are to:

1. Develop technical guidelines on strengthening and harmonizing regulatory systems for blood products

2. Disseminate knowledge materials and training resources relevant to blood regulation

3. Promote information sharing, regulatory convergence and reliance among Regulatory Authorities through harmonization of regulation of blood products

4. Support implementation at national and regional level of regulatory harmonization for blood products

5. Oversee projects developed at the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in blood product quality and safety consistent with the vision of AMRH, relying on the expertise and input from RECs and from ABRF Working Sub Groups, and ensure their dissemination and advocacy through all RECs

6. Develop innovative regulatory pathways for blood products including common data collection, risk assessment, compliance methods and common tools to address new and emerging threats

7. Recommend mechanisms for funding and sustaining the Forum`s activities