In its 3rd year, the Africa Pharmaceutical Summit (APS) is now established as the most strategic industry event in the region that brings together all major stakeholders – industry leaders, policy-makers, regulators, academics, investors, scientists and patient representatives, to tackle the most pressing issues the industry is facing. The APS concept integrates three elements – Exhibition, Summit and Partnering – into a single platform for developing business leads, forging strategic alliances and enhancing multi-stakeholder cooperation to provide added momentum to progress on issues relating to pharmaceutical sector development in this fast growing region of the world. The Summit is a platform for public-private cooperation that is cross disciplinary and involves different ministry portfolios, including Health and Industry & Trade as well as different stakeholders. The APS West will be held under the theme, “Driving Forward Improvement in Pharmaceutical Industry: A Clear Framework for Investment” Building a competitive agenda can have a major influence on investment decisions, and is an ideal platform for the pharmaceutical industry to invest, contributing to the health of everyone living in Africa, and to the local economies. A sophisticated partnership and regular dialogue between industry and government adds value to this agenda. The APS serves as a platform call for three priority action points to build a healthier Africa: Recognise that medicines are essential to improve patient outcomes and equity of access to healthcare across Africa; Support a more sustainable and predictable business environment to incentivise the pharmaceutical industry to invest in bringing better and more cost effective treatments to patients; Foster an environment that will make Africa an attractive destination for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The APS West will bring together the pharmaceutical industry, government, patients and other stakeholders to address issues of relevance