Jimma University advances local innovation to strengthen antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ethiopia

Jimma, Ethiopia | 27 February 2026 - Jimma University is advancing national efforts in Ethiopia to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the Local Production of Antibiotic Disc (LoPAD) project, an innovative initiative supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the Leap Engage Accelerate Disrupt (LEAD) Innovation Challenge Program.

The project is testing the possibility of locally producing antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) discs to reduce reliance on imported laboratory supplies, ensure timely availability, and strengthen Ethiopia's diagnostic capacity and AMR surveillance system.

A joint delegation comprising experts from Ethiopia's Ministry of Health (MoH), the Ministry of Education (MoE) the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) and World Health Organization visited Jimma University on 17 February 2026 to assess implementation progress and discuss pathways for scaling the innovation.

During the visit, the team observed the successful experimental production and testing of four antibiotic susceptibility testing discs-Ciprofloxacin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, and Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim (Cotrimoxazole) -with performance results comparable to commercially available products.

Antibiotic susceptibility testing discs are essential laboratory tools used to determine the effectiveness of antibiotics against bacterial infections, guiding clinicians toward appropriate treatment decisions. Local production is expected to improve supply reliability while strengthening national laboratory systems critical for monitoring and responding to antimicrobial resistance.

The delegation reviewed comprehensive quality assurance processes, including assessments of potency, repeatability, reproducibility, uniformity, and stability. Inter-laboratory verification conducted through external laboratories further confirmed the reliability and consistency of the locally produced discs.

High-level discussions brought together Jimma University leadership, including University President H.E. Dr. Jemal Abafita (PhD); Vice President for Research and Partnerships Professor Muluemebet Abera; and CEO of the Jimma Institute of Health Professor Ahmed Zaynudin, alongside senior representatives from MoH, MoE, WHO, EDI, and members of the project technical task force.

Deliberations focused on transitioning the innovation from laboratory research to scalable manufacturing, including regulatory alignment, quality assurance requirements, and strategies to secure approval from national standard-setting and regulatory authorities.

Participants emphasized that strengthening local innovation ecosystems is essential for developing sustainable health technologies in Ethiopia. Discussions highlighted both opportunities and challenges faced by innovators in translating academic research into market-ready health products that address national public health priorities.

At the conclusion of the visit, partners agreed on key priority actions to accelerate the scale-up and institutionalization of the innovation. These include strengthening stakeholder coordination to enhance commitment to health innovation; establishing a dedicated innovation testing and production facility at Jimma University; supporting capacity development for the Ethiopian Standards Agency to approve standards for emerging technologies; and organizing advocacy engagements with the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority and other partners to ensure locally produced products meet internationally recognized quality standards and facilitate the testing and expansion of locally developed solutions.

Dr. Bejoy Nambiar, Health Systems and Policy Advisor at WHO Ethiopia, congratulated Jimma University for its leadership in advancing local production of antibiotic susceptibility testing discs, noting that the initiative represents an important milestone in strengthening diagnostic capacity and supporting Ethiopia's response to antimicrobial resistance.

"Locally driven innovation such as the LoPAD project demonstrates Ethiopia's growing capacity to translate research into practical health solutions," said Dr. Nambiar. "Scaling this innovation will not only improve access to essential laboratory tools but also strengthen national resilience against antimicrobial resistance."

As Ethiopia continues to address the growing threat of AMR, initiatives such as the LoPAD project highlight how collaboration among academia, government institutions, and international partners can translate innovation into scalable solutions that enhance health system resilience, expand access to essential laboratory technologies, and protect public health.