The Need for Africa to Start Manufacturing Vaccines

Africa imports about 99% of the vaccines used on the continent. Hence, one lesson that African countries should take away from the COVID-19 pandemic is how unsustainable this over-reliance is. In a scramble for vaccines, as we saw during the pandemic, Africa will always be left behind. This will never change, unless countries boost vaccine manufacturing capacity.



In this episode, you will hear from Dr. Geofrey Makenga, a vaccinologist and epidemiologist. He discusses Africa’s current vaccine manufacturing capacity, the cause of Africa’s over-reliance and give his thoughts on what it would take to boost that capacity.

Guests: Geofrey Makenga of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative

Useful resources:

• Vaccine Production in Africa: A Feasible Business Model for Capacity Building and Sustainable New Vaccine Introduction


• Africa is bringing vaccine manufacturing home


• Vaccine Manufacturing in Africa: What It Takes and Why It Matters


• The future of vaccine manufacturing in Africa


• The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa

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Thank you!