CEPSA’s second annual pharmacovigilance training workshop

The Centre of Excellence for Pharmacovigilance in Southern Africa (CEPSA) is proud to announce the successful completion of its second pharmacovigilance (PV) workshop in September 2026, this time in a bilingual format, to promote inclusivity and strengthen PV capacity across Africa through immersive, hands-on training

The second Advanced Pharmacovigilance Workshop took place from 31 August – 4 September 2026. A total of 28 participants from 24 African countries came together to strengthen pharmacovigilance across the continent.

This year’s event was particularly meaningful because it was delivered bilingually in French and English. This helped create a more inclusive environment and enabled participants from across the continent to engage fully in the workshop.

One of CEPSA’s commitments is to provide specialised training in pharmacovigilance, building the knowledge and skills needed to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems, while also fostering collaboration and professional networks across the continent.

The event was co-hosted in Cape Town by CEPSA in partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

At CEPSA, we are committed to transforming the pharmacovigilance landscape in Southern Africa and beyond. Our mission is to strengthen pharmacovigilance for medicines and vaccines across their entire lifecycle. Advanced training and capacity building are central to this work.

Through this training programme, we aim to empower a new generation of pharmacovigilance leaders, innovators and advocates, both within the region and internationally, while supporting the development of a stronger regulatory ecosystem around local production hubs.

What makes CEPSA’s pharmacovigilance training programme innovative is its immersive, hands-on design. Delivered entirely in person, it creates a dynamic environment for collaboration, networking and shared learning. Participants engage directly with real-world pharmacovigilance challenges, following a practical problem-solving journey that takes them from signal detection to effective risk communication.

The workshop provided an opportunity for participants to connect, exchange knowledge and learn from one another. Importantly, it also contributed to building a strong and sustainable pharmacovigilance community of practice across Africa.