The African Union’s public health agency and South African pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare are discussing a long-term partnership framework aimed at strengthening vaccine manufacturing across Africa after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the continent’s heavy dependence on imported vaccines.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and Africa’s largest drugmaker said on Tuesday that the discussions are centered on creating sustainable markets for vaccines produced within Africa as part of broader efforts to enhance health security and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
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Governments and public health organizations across Africa are intensifying efforts to boost local vaccine manufacturing after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed major supply disruptions and shortages across the continent.
Africa currently imports most of the vaccines it uses, despite consuming more than one billion doses annually. The proposed partnership aims to reduce that reliance by exploring a multi-year agreement designed to strengthen regional manufacturing capabilities and improve long-term vaccine supply security.
According to a joint statement, the discussions are focused on identifying priority vaccine antigens, gradually increasing production capacity with the potential to deliver tens to hundreds of millions of doses each year, and ensuring pricing remains aligned with global market standards.
Getting a clearer picture of Africa’s long‑term needs will also help unlock investment in output capacity while supporting more reliable access to vaccines made on the continent, they said.
“These discussions with Aspen represent an important step toward translating Africa’s vaccine manufacturing ambitions into sustainable market realities,” Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya said.
Aspen Pharmacare has previously stated that it aims to establish itself as a leading vaccine manufacturer in Africa. Chief Executive Stephen Saad said the company’s investments in sterile manufacturing facilities in South Africa, along with its extensive supply chain network, position it to produce vaccines at large scale.
Africa CDC and Aspen also said the discussions will cover procurement strategies, financing arrangements, and risk-sharing mechanisms.
