Speaker Profile

BIOGRAPHY

Richard Rukwata is a pharmacist, lawyer, and seasoned public health administrator with over 28 years of experience in healthcare and medical product regulation. He serves as the Director-General of the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), where he has championed regulatory excellence, digital transformation, and strengthened compliance with international standards. Under his leadership, MCAZ achieved recognition by the World Health Organisation as a Maturity Level 3 (ML3) National Regulatory Authority—a historic milestone that positioned Zimbabwe among Africa’s leading regulatory agencies.

As Head of the ZAZIBONA Implementing Agency, Richard drives the regional regulatory harmonisation programme within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), promoting efficiency, reliance, and shared regulatory standards across participating states. He currently serves as Chairman of the ML3 NRAs Steering Committee, advancing collaboration and continuous improvement among high-performing African regulatory authorities.

Previously, Richard was a member of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) Steering Committee and the Medicines Policy & Regulation Reforms Technical Committee, contributing to the foundational policy frameworks that underpin the African Medicines Agency (AMA).

A founding member and first Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs Association of Zimbabwe (PRAAZ), he has also served as Chairman of the Boards and Committees of various entities, including InvestMed Medical Health Fund, the Pharmacists Council of Zimbabwe, its Practice Control Committee, and the Audit & Risk Management Committee of the Health Professions Authority (HPA).

Recognised for his strategic leadership, governance insight, and stakeholder diplomacy, Richard continues to champion excellence in medical product regulation across Africa.