Africa plans to make more vaccinesCEFR B1
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 produce 60 percent of its own vaccines by 2040. Africa currently manufactures about 1 percent of the vaccines it needs and imports the rest; many doses also arrive as donations. To coordinate a response, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention was asked in April 2021 to develop a plan from its Addis Ababa headquarters.
Key steps include the creation of a manufacturing partnership in 2022 and its renaming in February 2024 to the Platform for Harmonised African Health Products Manufacturing, with a wider mandate that includes medical countermeasures. Surveys and studies found multiple vaccine projects at different stages, and many local firms focus on packaging or fill-and-finish work rather than full vaccine production.
International institutions have pledged investments and support, and an EU project announced in June 2024 provides major funding. Experts warn that vaccine manufacturing is high risk, funding is hard to secure, regulatory systems need strengthening, and intellectual property rights remain a barrier.
Difficult words
- manufacture — make goods in factories or industrial sitesmanufactures
- donation — something given free to help other peopledonations
- coordinate — organize and make different parts work together
- headquarters — main office where an organization operates from
- mandate — official order or responsibility to do something
- regulatory — connected with rules and official controls
- intellectual property right — legal rights over ideas, inventions or creationsintellectual property rights
- fill-and-finish — final steps to put a vaccine into vials
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think Africa can reach the 60 percent vaccine production target by 2040? Why or why not?
- Which challenge mentioned in the article (funding, regulation, intellectual property, risk) seems hardest to solve? Explain briefly.
- How could international funding and support help local vaccine manufacturing in Africa?
Related articles
Norwegian research ship cancels Sri Lanka survey
A Norwegian research vessel cancelled its planned 2025 survey in Sri Lankan waters after delays in government approval. The FAO-assigned ship was reassigned to Madagascar and scientists say the missed mission will slow important marine research.
Study finds Abbott-Bioline malaria test gives many false negatives
A study on the Thailand–Myanmar border found the Abbott-Bioline rapid malaria test missed many infections. Researchers call it “not fit for purpose”; WHO and the manufacturer are reviewing the test and further studies are under way.
Chinese electric car makers shift to Africa as Western markets close
After price pressure at home and new US and EU trade barriers, many Chinese electric vehicle firms are moving into Africa for sales and assembly. Governments and companies plan factories, dealerships and incentives.
