Africa plans to make more vaccinesCEFR B2
1 Aug 2025
Adapted from Guest Contributor, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya, Unsplash
The African Union aims for Africa to manufacture 60 percent of its vaccines by 2040, a large increase from the roughly 1 percent produced locally today. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention was tasked in April 2021 to design a continental plan. Since then, the Partnership for Africa Vaccine Manufacturing (created in 2022) was renamed the Platform for Harmonised African Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM) in February 2024, expanding its remit to include medical countermeasures.
Studies of the manufacturing landscape found 25 active vaccine projects at three stages: some commercial-scale facilities with technology transfers underway, others with facilities but no transfers yet, and many projects still in early development. A survey counted 574 health-products manufacturers; a large share only do packaging or fill-and-finish, while a few firms handle small-scale drug-substance work with limited research and development.
International partners including the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Investment Bank and AfreximBank have pledged investments, and GAVI has indicated support. On 20 June 2024 the EU launched a USD 1.1 billion project to accelerate production. Experts caution about major risks: vaccine manufacturing requires heavy, patient investment, regulatory systems must be strengthened, and patents can block access to crucial technology. Success will depend on predictable demand, AU member states buying African-made vaccines, continental coordination and using AfCFTA to harmonise trade.
- Key challenges: funding, patents and regulation.
- Needed: technology transfer readiness and coordination.
- Support: international finance and pledged projects.
- Next steps: build factories and ensure steady demand.
Difficult words
- manufacture — To produce goods, especially in factories.
- remit — An area of responsibility or authority.
- countermeasure — Action or medicine taken against a threat.countermeasures
- technology transfer — Sharing technical knowledge or equipment between organisations.technology transfers
- fill-and-finish — Final packaging process for vaccines or medicines.
- regulatory — Relating to official rules and oversight.
- patent — Legal right that protects an invention.patents
- harmonise — To make systems or rules compatible across areas.Harmonised
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What are the main challenges for increasing vaccine manufacturing in Africa, and which seems most difficult? Explain using the article.
- How could AU member states encourage predictable demand for African-made vaccines?
- What role should international finance and organisations play to support local vaccine production?
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