One of the most important lessons Africa has learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic is the need to invest in and build its own health systems particularly manufacturing of vaccines and diagnostics. The rise of global protectionism and vaccine nationalism has reiterated the African resolve to seek African solutions for African problems. This has led to increased support from African governments, African and global public health institutions and the private sector, to expand African manufacturing. 

Expanded African manufacturing can have significant public health impact such as sustainable and secure supply of routine vaccines, improved outbreak and pandemic response as well as enabling development of products that suit an Africa-specific context. African manufacturing will also have economic benefits through increasing highly skilled employment, reduction in trade deficits, indirect development of the manufacturing sector and the pharmaceutical industry among others. Furthermore, African manufacturing is a critical component of the continent’s New Public Health Order for Africa.

Against this background, H.E. President Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chairperson of the African Union and H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission and, together with HE Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, convened a virtual meeting of Heads of State and Government as well as experts, manufacturers, financial institutions, private sector leaders, and civil society representatives, to discuss Expanding Africa’s Vaccine and Diagnostics Manufacturing.

Read more about African Union and Africa CDC Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM), framework https://africacdc.org/news-item/african-union-and-africa-cdc-launches-partnerships-for-african-vaccine-manufacturing-pavm-framework-to-achieve-it-and-signs-2-mous/

Read more about the African COVID-19 Vaccine Financing and Deployment Strategy

• https://africacdc.org/download/report-virtual-meeting-on-the-african-covid-19-vaccine-financing-and-deployment-strategy/
• https://africacdc.org/news-item/cepi-and-the-african-union-join-forces-to-boost-african-vaccine-rd-and-manufacturing/