Africa plans to make more vaccinesCEFR A2
1 Aug 2025
Adapted from Guest Contributor, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya, Unsplash
The African Union has set a target for Africa to manufacture 60 percent of its vaccines by 2040. Today the continent produces about 1 percent of the vaccines it needs, so leaders want more local production to reduce dependence on imports.
In April 2021 the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention was asked to build a plan. A partnership started in 2022 and was renamed in 2024 to cover more health products. International banks and partners have pledged money, and the EU launched a USD 1.1 billion project to speed up production.
Difficult words
- manufacture — make goods or products in factories
- dependence — need for help or support from others
- import — buy or bring goods from other countriesimports
- pledge — promise to give money or supportpledged
- launch — start a project or introduce something newlaunched
- partnership — a relationship where people or groups work together
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think it is good for a country to make its own vaccines? Why or why not?
- How could a partnership help medical production in a region?
- What problems might countries have if they depend on imports for vaccines?
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