This mission will focus on the third priority lever of the project - developing a national health technology assessment (HTA) framework to inform reimbursement decisions, pricing, and pharmaceutical regulation in support of UHC. Health technology assessment (HTA) is a key strategic tool for guiding public health policies, particularly in countries seeking universal health coverage (UHC). It helps to inform decisions regarding the introduction, reimbursement and pricing of medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other health interventions, based on objective criteria: effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, budgetary impact and contextual relevance.
In Nigeria, the lack of an institutionalized HTA framework hinders efforts to optimize health spending, ensure equitable access to essential medicines, and develop a competitive local pharmaceutical industry. The creation of such a framework is all the more strategic as it supports:
•    The implementation of UHC via streamlined care packages;
•    The policy of local production (70% by 2030 according to federal ambitions);
•    The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), which promotes local manufacturing and pooled procurement. 
Nigerian institutions such as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoH&SW) and the pharmaceutical regulatory agency NAFDAC have expressed strong interest in receiving structured technical support in this area, drawing inspiration from proven models such as that of the High Authority for Health (HAS) in France.
Furthermore, the Nigerian partners expressed their willingness to initiate further discussions on the evolution of the regulatory and legislative framework of the pharmaceutical sector, particularly around the so-called "5+5" mechanisms (5 years of protection of registration data + 5 years of commercial exclusivity). This type of mechanism, inspired by international standards, is seen as a strategic lever to stimulate local production, strengthen the attractiveness of the Nigerian market and promote innovation while guaranteeing access to health products. As a result, the mission of the HTA short-term expert is in two parts:
1.    Conduct a situation analysis and stakeholder mapping, including:
­    Examination of existing evidence-based decision-making practices in health technology reimbursement and registration (within NAFDAC, NHIA, FMoH&SW, etc.);Targeted legal and regulatory analysis of the pharmaceutical framework relevant to HTA implementation in relation to data protection, exclusive rights, and incentives for local production (including “5+5” type mechanisms);
­    Mapping of the actors involved (agencies, public laboratories, universities, private sector, civil society) and description of their institutional roles related to HTA and market access.
­     Identification of regulatory, technical and institutional gaps;
2.    Facilitate a participatory development of an HTA strategic roadmap:
­    Co-construction with stakeholders of a progressive plan for the implementation of a national HTA system;
­    Definition of short, medium and long term objectives: institutional structuring, development of local capacities, articulation with pharmaceutical industrialization policies, inclusion in public procurement and reimbursement procedures;
­    Integration of a specific focus on the evolution of the pharmaceutical regulatory framework, in line with national ambitions (5+5 type devices, fast-track procedure, biosimilars, etc.), and international standards; Alignment with local production ambitions (70% by 2030) and with regional dynamics (Africa CDC, AU, ECOWAS).
Findings and recommendations from the first, initial situation analysis and stakeholder mapping will inform the development of the HTA strategic roadmap. This component will be implemented in close collaboration with the FMoH&SW, NAFDAC, PVAC, NHIA, and other relevant stakeholders. 

This list is not exhaustive, and the tasks and activities mentioned are not restrictive and will be further defined during the mission.