This event, hosted by Devex in partnership with Open Society Foundations, explored what’s needed to advance autonomous vaccine manufacturing on the African continent by drawing on lessons learned from a range of ongoing initiatives.
Africa imports 99% of its vaccines despite consuming a quarter of the global vaccine supply, leaving the region highly vulnerable and dependent on outside doses.
Countries such as South Africa and Egypt have already started to produce COVID-19 vaccines, and the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing has announced a goal for 60% of all vaccines used on the continent to be produced by African nations by 2040. Now the question is how to achieve that ambitious target.
During this event, a diverse group of voices explored:
• How Africa’s manufacturing can be better supported, including through improved financing.
• What’s needed to overcome challenges facing South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare, such as ensuring a sustainable business model.
• How the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing and the G-7’s Pact for Pandemic Readiness can support manufacturing on the continent.
• The role that international donors and agencies must play to support a thriving pharmaceutical industry, including with human capital, market shaping, and research and development.
Opening remarks
• Rumbi Chakamba, associate editor, Devex.
Improving financing for autonomous manufacturing in Africa
• Muthoni Wanyeki, regional director for Africa, Open Society Foundations.
• Moderator: Natalie Donback, associate editor, Devex.
Panel discussion: How to advance autonomous manufacturing in Africa
• Dr. Githinji Gitahi, group CEO, Amref Health Africa.
• Dr. Mohga Kamal-Yanni, senior health policy adviser to UNAIDS.
• Dr. Ebere Okereke, a senior technical adviser at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and honorary senior public health adviser to the director of Africa CDC.
• Petro Terblanche, managing director, Afrigen Biologics.
• Moderator: Rumbi Chakamba, associate editor, Devex.
Closing remarks
• Rumbi Chakamba, associate editor, Devex.