Africa has made notable progress in expanding local manufacturing of vaccines and other health products, with efforts focused on securing investment, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and fostering local markets to improve health security and self-reliance.
These developments were discussed at the 2nd Vaccine and Other Health Products Manufacturing Forum in Cairo, organized by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Gavi, and the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative. The event, hosted by Egypt’s Unified Procurement Authority (UPA) from February 4-6, 2025, reviewed progress made since the first Manufacturers’ Marketplace for Vaccine Manufacturing among African Union (AU) member states in 2023.
Dr. Abebe Genetu Bayih, Coordinator for Local Manufacturing at Africa CDC, stated that the forum’s mandate has expanded beyond vaccines to include other medical products, medicines, and diagnostics. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, highlighted the organization’s achievements in transforming Africa’s local manufacturing sector in 2024.
During the 37th AU Assembly, leaders decided to upgrade the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) into the Platform for Harmonized African Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM), broadening its scope to include a wider range of health products.
Investment and Financial Commitments
Significant financial commitments have been made to support Africa’s health manufacturing sector. In June 2024, the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) was launched with a $1.2 billion fund to support vaccine manufacturing over the next decade. Additionally, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) pledged $2 billion in funding to support African health product manufacturing.
To enhance affordability and accessibility of medical supplies, the AU Assembly also established a Pooled Procurement Mechanism (PPM) with support from Afreximbank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Strengthening Regulatory Systems
On the sidelines of the forum, regulatory agencies from seven African countries—Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Senegal, and Rwanda—signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening regulatory frameworks across the continent. The agreement is expected to facilitate collaboration among national regulatory authorities (NRAs) and streamline approval processes for medical products, thereby improving Africa’s ability to respond to public health emergencies and reducing reliance on international suppliers.
Dr. Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority, emphasized the importance of ensuring timely access to high-quality medical products through regulatory cooperation.
Expanding Africa’s Manufacturing Capacity
A recent African Manufacturing Landscape survey identified 574 active manufacturers on the continent, including 25 producing vaccines. Dr. Hisham Stait, Chairman of Egypt’s Unified Procurement Authority, noted that Egypt plays a leading role in Africa’s manufacturing efforts, with nearly 20% of the continent’s vaccine manufacturing capacity and plans to produce 380 million doses annually by 2030.
The African Union has set a goal to locally produce 60% of the continent’s vaccine needs by 2040. Dr. Stait emphasized that this effort aims to create a more resilient healthcare system and ensure equitable access to medical products.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite progress, challenges remain in technology transfer, research and development, and infrastructure. South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Blade Nzimande, underscored the need for investment in vocational education, clinical trials, and accredited training programs to support local manufacturing.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, noted that achieving Africa’s self-sufficiency in vaccine production will require collaboration between governments, manufacturers, and investors. She stressed the importance of policy frameworks that support sustainable manufacturing and procurement strategies.
As global health challenges persist, including outbreaks of diseases such as mpox, cholera, and measles, experts at the forum emphasized the need for continued investment in Africa’s health manufacturing capabilities. The African market for vaccines and medicines is valued at over $50 billion annually, yet most products are imported. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stated that reversing this trend is a key priority for regional health security.
The African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM) was highlighted as a tool for improving market sustainability by consolidating procurement across nations, enabling manufacturers to scale production, and reducing reliance on external suppliers.
Conclusion
Stakeholders at the forum reiterated the importance of local manufacturing in strengthening Africa’s healthcare systems and reducing dependence on global supply chains. With continued investment, regulatory improvements, and regional collaboration, Africa aims to enhance its self-sufficiency in vaccine and health product manufacturing, ensuring better preparedness for future public health challenges.
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