The Shift Continues: Africa Moves Toward Making Its Own Vaccines
From importing essential medicines to building the capacity to produce them at home.
Something important is happening in Africa, and once again, it comes down to one word: capacity.
South African vaccine manufacturer Biovac has secured up to $15 million in financing from the African Development Bank to support the development of end-to-end oral cholera vaccine manufacturing in Africa. The goal is significant: instead of depending so heavily on vaccines manufactured elsewhere, more of the process could eventually happen on African soil.
And this matters beyond one vaccine.
During major health emergencies, countries around the world are often competing for the same medical supplies. Africa’s heavy dependence on imported vaccines became particularly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access was deeply unequal.
Manufacturing more vaccines within Africa could mean greater control over supply, stronger scientific and technical skills, more specialized jobs and, importantly, a better ability to respond when the next health emergency arrives.
It also fits into a larger story we’ve been watching.
Solar technology. Vehicle manufacturing. Food production. And now vaccines.
Africa isn’t suddenly independent from the rest of the world and that isn’t the point. Countries everywhere depend on one another.
The shift is about something different: building the ability to do more for yourself.
For years, Africa has often been presented to the world through the things it lacks. Perhaps it is time we also pay attention to what the continent is increasingly trying to build.
Because sometimes a global shift doesn’t arrive with a dramatic announcement.
Sometimes it begins with a factory.
And this may be another one worth watching.